#ExclusivelyInclusive: A Long Road To Equality For LGBTQ+ in India
|By- Pratistha Prajapati|
The foundation of human rights is that all humans should be treated equally. Anything that undermines that foundational premise is a violation, for it violates the principle of equality and paves the way for discrimination. The preamble to the Indian Constitution mandates justice -- social, economic, and political equality of status -- for all. The voices for human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people (LGBTQ+) are coming into sharper focus around the world.
Globally, many countries have come to accept, protect and provide for their citizens of the LGBTQ+ communities, where India just recently found its footing when the apex court of the country decriminalised gay sex by revising the much debated IPC Section 377 in 2018. It was just the first step towards recognising this diverse community. But there still seems to be a long way to go.
“I don’t see much change because laws might change but it still depends on how people treat you.” As quoted by Abhinaya Nair, a 24-year-old student and a freelance photographer, sexually oriented as a Lesbian. She has been living in Bangalore for past 3.5 years. Here she talks about how it feels to be a queer citizen of a conventional country which is still attempting to change.
When did you first become familiar with what it means to be a part of the LGBTI community? Can you talk me through your process of coming to understand yourself and coming out to your family?
Abhinaya: My coming out story is really personal. I came out to my brother and he ousted me to my mother. It wasn’t pleasant then but now they have come to terms with it. I was 19 when I came out and I had realized it completely when I was 14 or 15 years old. Well there were signs all along that I was attracted to women. I was not comfortable with dressing up a certain way. There was no specific process but realization was hard because I am a Christian and I was a frequent church goer and people influence you. At some point I even hated myself for being this way as I was young and I didn’t want to be different so it took a while to make myself understand that this is normal. There is nothing wrong with me.
Have you ever heard of a LGBTQ+ person facing discrimination in your state, or have you personally been discriminated against for your sexual orientation or gender identity?
Abhinaya: I think in every city or state there are people who are still struggling with their sexuality especially when they don’t conform to the gender norms of the society. I have felt that people here judge you for the way you look, like I have been kicked out of women’s washroom because people mistake me for a man just because I have short hair. Same thing happens when I board a bus. In Bangalore, men are supposed to occupy the back seats and women at the front, I often get into trouble which doesn’t have anything to do with my sexuality but just the way I look and dress.
What are some of your favourite things about your community?
Abhinaya: From what I have experienced the community is a safe place, everyone has each other’s backs. They conduct meetings every month and they have this Cricket tournament, where all the women come together and they are such good players too and they are very inclusive of everybody. I am talking as an outsider and admirer of the same.
Can you briefly describe any of the LGBTQ+ people who are important to you in your life? Can you describe some of those relationships?
Abhinaya: To be honest I have never had a role model but I think all the people I have met or being in a relationship with are very much responsible for the fearless person I am. They taught me how to accept myself. I was privileged though because there are many out there who don’t have a family that accepts them. There is this thing about sexuality that we wouldn’t have to discuss the process of realizing it if we were accepted and treated as normal people. The society is afraid and disgusted by us but I think all that this community has to offer is love and support and a place for people who have been abandoned by their families. That is why we are a close nit. I have met people in the community who have built themselves up on their own. Their family members never supported them yet they found their own families within this community.
Right now, after almost 2 years of Supreme Court’s revision of section 377, have you found things changing or have they improved?
Abhinaya: I don’t see much change because laws might change but its still depends on how people treat you. So far I have been lucky, people I surround myself with are indifferent and don’t treat me like I am from a different planet and that’s all I need.
How is supporting these non-discrimination protections consistent with your religious (or political) beliefs?
Abhinaya: Well from what I have experienced these laws mean nothing to people of faith. From what I have heard the Pope, he shared his views on the LGBT+ and he says LGBT+ people do deserve a family and he is no one to judge and I think that statement is really important. My mom was not surprised by this. She said that the statement was given too late though. She said that because she accepts me now but the church going people will see it differently or so I believe. When it comes to political views, I have not much to say about it. We see discrimination against different religions and castes already, so to comment on anything for LGBT+ or expect a change suddenly is well……difficult!
What do you think about the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill that was introduced in July 19, 2019?
Abhinaya: Ridiculous. It basically says transgender people are required to have certain surgeries before legally changing their gender. Not everyone is privileged enough to do that, that means you can have those right unless you get a certificate that you are transgender and that happens after you get a surgery and that doesn’t make any sense to me.
How do you think the depiction of queer identities in mainstream cinema affecting your community? Mainstream movies like Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and the upcoming movie Laxxmi Bomb?
Abhinaya: Cinema is a powerful tool and I think these movies haven’t done well for obvious reasons. Films like Dostana or Kya Kool Hai Hum are absolute disgrace to the LGBTQ+ community. I can’t comment on Laxxmi Bomb because I haven’t seen it yet but you have to remember these roles are played by Cis men (straight men). True representation would be when LGBTQ+ people play these roles. I mean let them tell their stories. We have films like Njan Marikutty and Super Deluxe, even though they are good films, I hope LGBTQ+ people are given the chance to act soon.
Can you tell me why it’s important that our communities and our laws treat people equally?
Abhinaya: I don’t see why not. I mean we all bleed the same blood. So what if we are Dalits or Christians or Muslims, women or men, black, white or brown, gay, bi or hetero. Our basic human rights shouldn’t be tampered with. Stop thinking we are different and try talking to people, you will understand that there is no problem.
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