Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and their journey. For many, this journey has been filled with struggles. Many LGBTQIA+ people have faced fear and rejection. They have struggled to say, “This is who I am”.

Fear of being identified as gay by the hospital, and being exposed to others, one person shared during a research study: “ … Whenever I go to any doctor for any illness, my hands always shake because of my sexuality. I have feared what if the doctor could know about my sexuality and tell it to my parents?” (Gay male in his early twenties visiting a Mumbai-based private hospital)”.

This fear comes from society. 

But who is society? Society is all of us–families, friends, schools, workplaces, and communities. Society is everyone we interact with daily. But still, we stand at a point where our attitudes are not changing. The right to be yourself should be for everyone. But, for many LGBTQIA+ people, this is not the case. They face discrimination in many areas of life, like work, school, and healthcare. They have to fight for their rights and dignity every day.  

A recent blog highlighted a few layers of discrimination that LGBTQIA+ patients face at Indian hospitals.

“Forms of discrimination included judgement at the hospital entrance gate, refusal of treatment, lack of understanding about sex- and gender-related diseases, and labelling non-heterosexual sexual orientation as a psychological disorder”.

The blog also highlighted that “admission forms allowed only for gender binaries, personnel refused to use the appropriate pronouns when referring to a person of the LGBTQIA+ community, there were ward allocation challenges, individuals had difficulty explaining same-sex relationships to doctors, the doctors were unequipped or untrained, and there was a lack of medical research on the health problems of the community. All of these impacted on the health-seeking behaviour of LGBTQIA+ individuals“ . 

We constantly judge others, trying to make conclusions and tag people based on their appearance, attire, or whom they love. This is why Pride Month is so important. It is a time to speak up for these rights more and to support each other. Choosing to be yourself should not be a struggle. Everyone deserves to live with dignity. This means being respected for who you are. It means having the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. No one should have to hide who they are. 

We are missing the point that we need to see people as human beings above labels and binaries.In the pursuit of equality, there is a tendency to focus on labels and binaries that can create division. It is important to recognise that human rights should be extended impartially to all individuals, regardless of gender identity, and not to let gender categories inadvertently limit or exclude individuals. While gender terms can aid in understanding diverse experiences, they should not overshadow the essential humanity shared by everyone.It is crucial to acknowledge and honour each person as a human being deserving of equal rights and dignity. This recognition is necessary to build a society that supports all its members without bias.

 “Health care providers’ (HCP) understanding of LGBTQIA+ individuals is narrow and primarily disease-oriented. Almost half of the interviewed mental health professionals in Mumbai and Pune reported treating homosexuality as a mental health issue and not dealing with the problems of stigmatisation, discrimination, and stressful social experiences of the individual.Our judgments and stereotypes hurt others and prevent us from building a world where everyone is accepted. Many HCPs attributed homosexuality to adverse environmental factors like child sexual abuse, early sexual initiation/ exploration, and lack of exposure to the opposite sex”.

It is time to change our perspective and embrace the diversity that makes our society vibrant and strong.

“LGBTQIA+ persons have reported experiences of abuse, exclusion, discrimination, and prejudice, including in jobs, education, healthcare, and social services”.

Safe spaces are important. These are places where LGBTQIA+ people can be themselves without fear. Safe spaces can be a friend’s house, a community centre, or even an online group. In these spaces, people can share their stories and support each other. They can celebrate who they are without judgement.

Another study found by National Library of Medicine during conducting a study : 

A 42-year-old trans woman said,

“… One of my Chela (disciple) in Hijra culture came from UP (Uttar Pradesh). She was not able to complete her education. She has taken training in beautification, but no one wanted to take services from her. Her parents disowned her, and now she has to do mangati (begging) […] Even getting a job will not do much good. Even if she earns Rs. 10,000 a month in job, it will go away in travelling, housing, and food. More than that she can earn through continuous sex work and mangati”.

Findings revealed that poverty and unemployment are widespread among sexual and gender minorities.

“There is no public data on the exact number of gender and sexual minorities in the country, however, in 2018 it was estimated that 104 million Indians (or 8% of the total population) belong to the LGBTQIA+ community”.

This highlights the need for inclusive policies and support systems to overcome these barriers and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for transgender people.

During Pride Month, let’s reflect on our attitudes. Let’s stop judging and start understanding. Let’s break free from the boxes we put people in and see them for who they truly are—human beings deserving of love, respect, and dignity. It is also a time to stand with those who are still struggling. We cannot allow discrimination to continue. We must create a world where everyone can be themselves.

Let us create safe spaces and support each other. Let us fight for the rights and dignity of all people. 

In doing so, we can build a world where everyone can proudly say, “This is who I am”.

 

Urasmita Ghosh, Communications Associate, Equal Community Foundation