LGBTQ struggles to find its standing in a homophobic society

As the world celebrates 'Pride Month' this June, the LGBTQ community in India continues to lead a life fraught with dangers and neglect.From abuse, constant fear of being persecuted, hiding of one's sexual preference and humiliation in public sphere, thecommunity sees it all--every day.LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. A popular variant added the letter Q for those who identify as 'queer' or are questioning their sexual identity.June is celebrated worldwide as the Pride Month, but the community members and activists feel that the month's significance is limited to marches and panel discussions without any concrete steps on the ground.LGBTQ activist Mohnish Malhotra, who has been organising Pride Parade in the city, said violent incidents against the community members have become a common sight.On May 22, a 22-year-old cross dressing orphan was reportedly killed by seven persons, including three juveniles. He was stabbed multiple times in the chest, face and head with a Swiss knife.On June 6, a woman alleged on Twitter that her gay friend was physically assaulted and verbally abused by police personnel in south Delhi's Hauz Khas village. The police, however, termed the incident a "misunderstanding".These incidents have happened time and again. The situation is such that the daily routine of the people of the community has become a struggle. We are equally as much the citizens of this nation, and must be treated same under the Constitution. What we ask for is the right to exist without the constant fear of being persecuted," Malhotra said.Activists feel that the community has to face homophobia on a daily basis, with people refusing accommodation and other basic needs to the LGBTQ members.The LGBTQ members have to keep their sexual preferences hidden so that they are able to live a normal life," said lawyer-activist Anand Grover, who is a founder-member of Lawyers Collective."The mindset of the people can only be changed through interaction with the community. The only way we can move forward is when we remove the tag of 'criminals' by curbing section 377 of IPC, he said.The section refers to "unnatural offences" and says whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine.The Supreme Court had earlier this year decided to reconsider its 2013 verdict which criminalised gay sex between two consenting adults.Anjali Gopalan, executive director, May India Foundation, said the community is often subjected to name-calling, and in some instances, has even driven some to take their own lives.She, however, said social change was coming, slowly but surely, and that they must be aided with legal measures.The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) had recently said that homosexuality was still viewed as a mental illness."We founded a taskforce last year for dealing with queer issues. We had said that homosexuality is not a mental illness," IPS president Ajit V Bhide said, adding that section 377 needed to be amended.

LGBTQ struggles to find its standing in a homophobic society

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