Harmonizing LGBTQIA+ Rights in India
Acceptance, such a basic need of every human being. Humans being a social and dependent species, we want people to accept us for who we are not what we are supposed to be. Is it too much to ask for? Then why is it that LGBTQIA+ community people have to fight for it every day of their lives?
Yes, there are a lot of countries out there in the world that have legal laws abiding LGBTQIA+ community rights which are far more progressive than India. Whereas, here in India even though in 2018, the Indian Supreme Court overturned this law in a landmark decision, recognizing the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and striking down this discriminatory law people are still facing a mountain of challenges as basic as naming their spouse as a nominee for their health insurance. Why should such a basic day-to-day activity need someone to file a petition in court?
By harmonizing LGBTQIA+ rights, what we mean is bringing the laws and attitudes around LGBTQIA+ rights in India into line with the rest of the civilized world.
The Sad State of the LGBTQIA+ Community in India
Before talking about making changes in the law, there is a desperate need for people to have awareness about the same. There are still many people in India who view being LGBTQIA+ as a sin or a disease. And that’s just plain silly. It really is pathetic to hear someone say, “I can’t hang out with you, you might give me the gay”? It’s like they think being LGBTQIA+is contagious. Newsflash, folks: it’s not.
But despite all the challenges, there are some bright spots. There are LGBTQIA+ organizations in India that are working tirelessly to promote equality and acceptance. And there are brave individuals who are coming out and living their truth, even in the face of adversity.
All these are great, but definitely not enough.
The Bare Truth
Now, you might be thinking, “Wait a minute, I thought India was a modern, progressive nation!” And to some extent, you’d be right. India has made great strides in recent years in terms of social and economic development. But when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, India is lagging behind. And not just a little bit – we’re talking about a gulf wider than the Grand Canyon.
To put it in perspective, same-sex relationships were decriminalized in India in 2018. That’s right, just three short years ago, it was illegal to be gay in India. Now, you might be thinking, “Well, at least they’re making progress.” And again, you’d be right. But the fact remains that there is still a long way to go.
For example, same-sex marriage is still illegal in India. That means that even though two people of the same gender can be in a relationship without fear of legal repercussions, they cannot get married. And that, my friends, is just plain silly. Imagine if we applied that same logic to other things in life.
“Sure, you can eat pizza, but only if it’s cold.”
“Yes, you can drive a car, but only in reverse.”
It’s nonsensical.
Where do we start?
Well, for starters, we can educate ourselves and others about the realities of LGBTQIA+ identities. We can listen to the stories of LGBTQIA+ people in India and amplify their voices. We can support organizations that are working to promote equality and acceptance.
But perhaps most importantly, we can be allies. Being an ally means standing up for LGBTQIA+ rights, even if you’re not part of the community yourself. It means being a vocal advocate for equality and fighting against discrimination in all its forms.
Being an ally also means checking your own biases and assumptions. It means recognizing that LGBTQIA+ people are just as diverse and complex as anyone else and that there’s no one “right” way to be LGBTQIA+. It means being willing to listen and learn from the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, even if it’s uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
The Final Judgment
Recently there has been a long-stating battle about the hearing on the petitions for the legalization of queer marriage in India at the Supreme Court with the verdict being reserved by the panel of judges. Let’s all hope for the parliament to arrive at a positive conclusion. Of course, mere legalization of marriage doesn’t mean anything without the constitutional laws supporting it, but this could be a great start to what is to become a progressive country.
At the end of the day, LGBTQIA+ rights in India (and around the world) are about basic human dignity and respect. It’s about ensuring that every person has the right to love who they love and be who they are, without fear of discrimination or violence. So, it’s okay to lose the so-called cultural and traditional values and do what is right.
Let’s not hide ourselves and bind the growth of our nation in the name of culture anymore. And that’s something that we should all be able to get behind.
