Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community shouldn't be limited to just the Pride Month: Manvendra Singh Gohil

Time of India

a day ago

Manvendra Singh Gohil
Recently, prominent LGBTQIA+ rights activist Manvendra Singh Gohil posted a video on Instagram, highlighting how the community continues to face several challenges. While we celebrate Pride Month, Manvendra shares, 'Unfortunately, the LGBTQIA+ community in India continues to face stigma, discrimination and violation of human rights.
It has been more than five decades since the LGBTQ+ movement began (in 1969), but this is the sad reality. Even now, many are forced to live in the closet because they fear they would be thrown out of the house otherwise. They also face sexual harassment.'
He adds, 'Celebrating the community shouldn't be limited to just Pride Month. I get invited as a speaker by a lot of corporates in June and I tell them that most of their events are just eyewash.
Most corporates organise Pride Month events but once June is over, they don't seem to remember us. Unless corporates provide more job opportunities for the community and ensure that there is no discrimination at the workplace, such celebrations are pointless.
'
'There is very little awareness about our rights'
Manvendra says one of the biggest challenges is that 'there is very little awareness about our rights.' He elaborates, 'There have been landmark judgments and moments in our fight for equality, like the scrapping of
Section 377
(in 2018), the NALSA judgment in 2014 (it recognised a third gender and guaranteed equal rights to the transgender community), and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act that was passed in 2019.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung
GEERS
Undo
But the implementation and dissemination still remain a challenge. There is a lot of misinformation among the general public because awareness about the laws or rights of the LGBTQIA+ community is limited to just law schools and law colleges.
To cite an example, a lot of people believe that the scrapping of Section 377 means that same-sex marriage has been legalised in India, which isn't the case. We need to spread more awareness.'
'We will continue our fight for justice'
While Manvendra is disappointed that same-sex marriages haven't been legalised in India, he says, 'We will continue our fight for justice. The Supreme Court has said that the onus is on our Parliament now and we need to reach out to people at the grassroots and raise awareness about our issues. Even the scrapping of Section 377 took about 20 years, so we should continue our fight and I am sure that we will get justice one day.
Even if we don't get to see that day, our next generation will.'
He adds, 'Recently, the Madras High Court ruled that LGBTQ+ individuals can form a family, which is encouraging. There have been some positive developments. For instance, same-sex couples can now open a joint bank account and have nominees. So, there is some progress, although it is slower than what we would like.'
'Pride Month events are important to create more allies'
Homosexuality is deeply rooted in our heritage, as queerness and same-sex love have existed in Indian culture for centuries.
The British imposed colonial laws criminalizing our identities and apart from celebrating our identity, Pride is also a reclamation-who we are and who we will be in future. Pride Month events, which include pride walks, are important because they ensure visibility and help create more allies.
'Our marriage is more successful than a lot of heterosexual couples'
Manvendra got married to Duke DeAndre Richardson in 2013 in the US and recently, they co-authored a book about completing a decade of marriage and activism. Looking back at the journey, Manvendra says, 'It has been a fabulous journey. Currently, we are in the US to promote the book and we are also attending a few Pride Month events, where we are being felicitated. I believe our marriage is more successful than a lot of heterosexual couples.
'
Talking about their dream project, India's first LGBTQA centre at Hanumanteshwar, he adds, 'We are adding more facilities there and the space is open to allies also.'
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change