Nobody has the right to demolish and suppress nature’s creations. That’s why homosexuality exists in our society.
As proof of this, the Supreme Court of India, in its hearing in 2018, gave its the verdict on the reading down of Section 377, saying that being gay is not a crime, that sexual orientation is natural and that people have no control over it.
The LGBTQ community has now become a more visible part of our society because of this decision. It has enabled each queer individual to be more proud of who they are and confident of surviving in our largely homophobic and transphobic society. One of the LGBTQ community’s biggest wishes has finally been actualised. But why does our society still think so negatively of queer individuals?
We can’t say our society is totally oblivious. If they can see the the outside lives of LGBTQ people, they should be able to understand their inner lives too.
Our focus now should be to wake up. Wake up to the reality of LGBTQ people living amongst us, who face unique challenges, whether it is accessing information or battling isolation.
In our modern times, each every person must have the right to live with dignity and make their own choices in life. LGBTQ people are part of this society, and they must have this right too.
Even for heterosexual couples, a live-in relationship it is still taboo, because “Indian culture” does not allow it. India is known for its unique traditions and cultures. But in this modern journey, shouldn’t our feelings and choices come first? Old traditions only encircle us with the rules and limits—they do not work well with a person’s own choices. In the same manner, these rituals also rule over LGBTQ individuals, and they find themselves neglected by society.
This meant that people with “alternate sexualities” faced violence and unequal treatment throughout India, for ages. Sometime a queer individual is hurt, tortured, and even execution—only because of who they love, how they look, and who they are.
Due to the Supreme Court’s decision, all sexualities have a right to be treated equally. They have a right to express their own identity, boldly. This has opened the door to improve the mentality of the people. This has opened a way to help minimise suicide rates among LGBTQ people. Yes, research has found the suicide rate among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth is far higher as compared to the general population! The main trigger for this queerphobic harassment, subsequent depression, societal pressure, and various other negative impacts on physical and mental health.
In some countries, LGBTQ rights have progressed quite a bit—like Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Botswana, Mozambique, Nepal, and Taiwan, to name a few. But in India, we still have a long way to go.
However, India has taken several steps towards equality. And it’s up to us now to support the LGBTQ community.