In India, there is still a stigma for the third gender and people are always failing to accept them as they are. Despite the fact that we are living in the 21st century and still Indian people are stuck with 19th-century laws. If we talk about recently happening there are some events where Indian people stood up for LGBTQ community people and encourage them in a way.
Over a past few years, in LGBTQ rights in India, the change has taken place this is because the community coming together for change in Indian laws. Now the time is where stigma to this third gender is fading away and they are winning this Wars & Emerging Victoriously!
Here is how India has been making us proud by taking a step forward towards embracing the third gender:
1. Lucknow was the first city in UP to host a Gay Pride March.
On 12th April’ 17 this event took place in Lucknow where more than 300 people took part in it. “This was a full-fledged Queer Pride Parade,” parade organiser Darvesh Singh Yadvendra told, adding on, “For the first time, not only was it attended by LGBTQ members, but their family members turned out in support as well. It shows that they are also getting acceptability.”
2. Sweekar is a group of parents of LGBT community.
Here, parents of LGBTQ children came together to support their children. They have named their group ‘Sweekar: The Rainbow Parents’ and hope to become a nodal point for networking, advocacy and outreach for parents of LGBTQ children.
3. Indian cinema to feature a trans-woman as a lead in a movie.
In a first for Indian cinema, Anjali Ameer, a transsexual woman will be playing the lead role in a mainstream film. Malayalam actor Mammootty has announced that Anjali will be his co-star in his upcoming feature movie and that is really progressive.
4. Transgenders at work at the Kochi Metro.
Kochi Metro becomes the first platform to employee transgenders on duty. There 23 transgenders were appointed for Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). Even as various international agencies and media hailed it as a path-breaking initiative, the publicity has ironically confounded the miseries of the sexual minority.
5. A sub-inspector had a happy same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriages are yet not legal in India but this woman Sub-Inspector of the Punjab Police break the barrier and got married to her bride at Pucca Bagh in the state.
6. The beauty pageant for transwomen.
Victorious in creating a place for themselves in government jobs and sports field, transgenders in Kerala have also made a splendid entry into the beauty industry. Kochi had its one of a kind beauty pageant for transwomen and that is really appreciable.
7. No tuition fees for transgenders.
The university believes in equality and justice for them and hence took this step. Tuition fees were scrapped for transgenders at The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tamil Nadu.
8. A social group for elder LGBTQ members in the name of ‘Mumbai Seenagers’.
‘Mumbai Seenagers’ is an initiative launched by Dr Prasad Dhandekar and LGBTQ activist Ashok Row Kavi which hopes to address some of the issues faced by the older gay community of the city, specifically emotional loneliness. The initiative will offer members of the minority group a safe and welcoming space where they can connect with others alike in a social setting.
9. Parents of the LGBT community crowdsource for a movie on their acceptance.
‘Evening Shadows’ is a film set to release this year, that majorly focuses on the struggles of acceptance of the third gender and how the acceptance of their family matters to them.
10. Bollywood came up with movies with the LGBT concept.
Bollywood also made LGBT centric movies, Kapoor and Sons and Aligarh, with big stars and it did considerably well, making it clear how accepting our audience has become.
