Most party manifestos had no more than two lines speaking to the welfare of the queer and trans community. (File photo)
As this Pride Month draws to a close, there is much to reflect on. The results of India’s General Election were declared in the first week of Pride. Despite the marriage equality case in the Supreme Court last year making headlines, and 10 years to the landmark NALSA judgment which legally recognised “third gender persons” in India and accorded them rights, the queer voter was missing from the election campaign in the 2024 general election. Most party manifestos had no more than two lines speaking to the welfare of the queer and trans community.
Against this context, The Indian Express asked five people from the LGBTQ+ community to speak about what Pride and Pride in India this year means to them. Here are their answers (Edited excerpts):
Many of us are not celebrating the Pride Month, myself included, because of so many reasons. Pride to me is “Liberation for all”. In the Manipur context, where many native to my home have succumbed to more than a year of civil violence and the recent incessant flood, there is no liberation. How can we have a separate celebration for Rainbow Pride? Pride is sharing, pride is diversity, pride is peace. Pride is the ultimate joy of human co-existence and tolerance.
Santa Khurai, activist
This June felt less like Pride than any other Pride Month. We ask for acceptance and the right to exist as we are from the world. But what about those within the community? Right at the beginning of Pride Month this year, X (formerly) Twitter blew up with discussions about “banning bi women and their straight boyfriends at Pride”. As someone who is also attracted to cis-gendered men (alas) and can be straight-passing, such statements distress me. I question myself often about my own sexuality — wondering if I’m queer at all. It is most disheartening then when those from the community, those supposed to support me, also engage in discrimination. I have spent the first 20 years of my life in denial but I refuse to let this define me anymore. It’s 2024 and queerness comes in all shapes and sizes. Case closed.
Rishika Singh, senior Sub-editor, The Indian Express
Like every year, this year’s Pride Month has been a reminder that Pride was and is a protest. We still hear news of trans adolescents being abused and profiled by school authorities, increasing queerphobia online, ongoing disdain for providing horizontal reservations for Dalit-trans people, the absolute absence of anything for queer-trans people in the election manifesto of the ruling party. The only thing promised, Garima Grehs (government-funded shelter homes for trans persons), are struggling through funding crunches. To exist in queer joy while living these everyday heartbreaking realities is my Pride Mont: Existing in contradictions.
Sudipta Das, writer, The YP Foundation
To me, Pride and this month means celebrating authenticity and love without fear. It’s about embracing my true self and finding strength in the LGBTQ+ community. Pride events honour those who fought for our rights and remind us of the progress made. They offer a chance to stand against discrimination and advocate for equality. Pride is a time of joy and empowerment, where we come together to support each other and promote acceptance. But Pride often highlights elite individuals, overlooking the working-class LGBTQ+ community. This disparity leaves many feeling excluded and unrepresented. It’s crucial to ensure Pride is inclusive, reflecting the diversity and realities of all LGBTQ+ lives, not just those of the privileged. Pride must be a reminder that we are not alone and that our identities, all of ours, are valuable and deserving of respect and love.
Maya S R Nayak, vote awareness ambassador of the Election Commission of India
Pride for me is the resistance we build against the violence meted out to people — queer and trans persons — from their natal families, in public spaces, workplaces and educational institutions. Pride is to be able to live our authentic lives despite the judgement and harassment that we have to undergo as an everyday reality. Pride is to hold, love and care for your chosen kin and nurture relationships beyond blood and family. Pride is to stand up and fight for our rights and enable others to do the same. Pride is coming to terms with our vulnerabilities and using them as a power to hold space for others’ vulnerabilities.
Koyel Ghosh, Managing Trustee, Sappho for Equality
