LGBTQ - A part of our Society

Article 15 of our Indian Constitution states that discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth is prohibited. The real question is, how is that working out for the LGBTQ community? Although we have seen unprecedented progress in educating people about the LBGTQ+ community over the last decade, what we must focus upon is the fact that most governments around the world, including our own, still don’t acknowledge its existence, let alone have explicit statutory nondiscrimination laws protecting people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. People who identify with the community still have to face widespread discrimination and homophobia. Between 11 per cent and 28 per cent of LGBT, workers report losing a promotion simply because of their sexual orientation, and 27 per cent of transgender workers report being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion in the past year. Not to mention, discrimination affects these people beyond their workplaces, often costing them their homes, access to education, and even the mere act of engaging in public life.

Being LGBTQ is not a “problem”, nor is it a “choice” as such. Stating that it’s objectively wrong for people to have sexual preferences that vary from the norm is objectively wrong itself.

This article centres on how one can become a better ally to the community, while also knowing that one shouldn’t have to be provided with a choice in being one, morally speaking.

Needless to say, for us to depreciate homophobia and hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, we must be proactive allies and check our privileges to be able to sympathize with them. Mentioned below are a few ways how you can do your part and make sure you’re making a difference in changing the status quo for the community.

• Uplift the most marginalized in the community

A good LGBTQ ally understands that lifting not just queer voices but black queer voices, queer sex workers’ voices, and poverty-stricken trans people’s voices, among other identities, is equally important. Yet the biggest firms, organizations, and public figures rarely acknowledge their struggles.

• Being open to difficult conversations:

Routinely, we come across various instances around us where someone depicts homophobic behaviour, be it using gay slurs, mocking someone part of the community, and parents not accepting their child after they come out. The best course of action in these cases may be calling them out and thereby educating them on why they are wrong to portray homophobia. Sure, these conversations may end up in arguments with them not agreeing with you, however, merely having these conversations is crucial in beginning to make a change.

• Don't assume:

Don't assume that all of your friends, co-workers and even housemates are straight. Don't assume someone's gender or pronouns. LGBTQ+ people don't look a certain way and someone's current or previous partner(s) doesn't define their sexuality.

• Make room for LGBTQ people to exist

A good LGBTQ ally also means that one shouldn’t hesitate to support the community’s artists, hosting panels for queer sex educators, or providing a meet-and-greet space for the most marginalized identities. “For a lot of us, monetary support is what’s most immediately important, buying books and zines by queer and trans authors to help educate yourself and contribute to the well-being of writers who need their work to sell so that they can keep making a living,” Joan Dark told Vox.

• Confront your prejudices and unconscious bias

Being an ally also means that you need to be aware of your prejudices and work towards destigmatizing them. You need to question any bias, stereotypes, and assumptions you didn't realize you had. Thinking about the jokes you make unknowingly, the pronouns you use and if you wrongly assume someone to be a particular gender just because of the way they look and act is critical.

• Be open to learn, listen and educate yourself

An integral part of being supportive to your LGBTQ+ friends and loved ones consists of developing a true understanding of how the world views and treats them. It seems obvious, but to learn, you need to be willing and open to truly listen. Listen to the personal stories of people part of the community and ask questions respectfully. It’s your responsibility to learn about LGBTQ+ history, terminology, and the struggles that the community still faces today.

“Please don’t just think about this stuff during Pride Month, June is intended to mark a key moment when a lot of ambient outrage at injustice coalesced, unleashing a wave of radical organizing that helped spawn the modern LGBTQ movement as we know it. Half a century later, we all need to be reminded that many of those injustices and much of that outrage are still all too real.”

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