The invisible emotional labour sustaining LGBTQIA+ programmes within health organisations

Aiswarya Sasikala, Parth Sharma, Harikeerthan Raghuram and Anant Bhan

PLOS Global Public Health, 2026, vol. 6, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: This commentary explores the invisible identity-based emotional labour carried out by LGBTQIA+ staff coordinating community-focused programmes within civil society organisations (CSOs) that increasingly supplement public health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing on lived experience and observations from LGBTQIA + –led and LGBTQIA + –affirmative health systems work in India within CSOs, we examine how LGBTQIA+ staff navigate the demands of professionalism, representation, and funder expectations within rigid institutional hierarchies. We offer recommendations for organisations and funders to recognise emotional labour and move towards ethical partnerships and supportive workplace environments.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pgph00:0006595

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0006595

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