Aspirations and Challenges of LGBTQIA+ Community in India

Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Ms. Anju Rakesh, Ms. Nisha Chandran and Dr. Divya Kumar
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Dr. Saundarya Rajesh: Founder & President, AVTAR Group
Ms. Anju Rakesh: Assistant Vice President – Research & Solutions, Avtar
Ms. Nisha Chandran: Assistant Vice President – Consulting & Solutions, Avtar
Dr. Divya Kumar: Associate Manager – Research, Avtar

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2021, vol. 5, issue 2, 31-37

Abstract: Historically, the social acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community has been very low across the globe. In India the scenario was no different though the landscape began shifting post the progressive judgement rendered by the Supreme Court of India, in 2018, decriminalizing homosexuality. The introduction of the third gender as a part of recognised gender spectrum in 2014 and the right to change legal gender in 2019 were other progressive measures in this direction. Despite the mandate the societal awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community continues to be a challenge in the Indian socio cultural milieu. Against this backdrop, a research study was undertaken to understand the aspirations of, and challenges faced by members of the community in India, today. A qualitative survey questionnaire with questions including when they developed self-awareness of their identity, how their experience of acceptance and inclusion was and how they embarked on their pursuit of aspirations, was used. The research sample consisted of 31 respondents who identified themselves as part of the LGBTQIA+ Community. From a self-awareness standpoint, 70% respondents said they accepted their own identity only after the age of 20. 48% of respondents reported facing mental health challenges because of a lack of acceptance. The paper also includes a discussion on the measures that individuals, organizations and institutions can undertake to be more inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Date: 2021
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