LGBTQ+ For the society:

LGBTQ means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Whereas, Q in the LGBTQ stands for Queer or even a term called “Questioning” for those who still aren’t sure about their sexual orientation.

Below is a quick rundown on what each of the terms mentioned above mean:

• Lesbian: Lesbian is used as a noun and also as an adjective. It defines women who are attracted to other women. It maybe sexual attraction or romantic attraction between women. Some women also desire to be called Gay or even Queer.
• Gay: Gay is an adjective. It’s frequently used to describe men who are attracted to other men.
• Bisexual: Bisexuality is defined as a person who is attracted to or forms an attraction with more than one gender. A bisexual person can either be a male or a female.
• Transgender: The word transgender has a very far-reaching sense. It is it said as the sex they think they are does not match with the sex they were assigned at their birth.
• Questioning/Queer: Questioning is an adjective, its used to define the exploration of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or both. Its widely used by people who are still confused about themselves. They wish not to be labelled. Identifying one’s self plays a very significant role in LGBTQ person’s life. The term Queer is an adjective which is used by people who feel they don’t belong into sexualities such as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual.

LGBTQ in India is presently slowly up-and-coming after the striking down of Section-377 by the Supreme Court of India in Navtej Johar vs Union of India, 2018. Under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 is stated as an unnatural offence as well as any sexual acts that is against the order of nature are criminalized. The sexual relation against the order of nature for example between man to man, between woman to woman or between human being to animal which is punishable for life imprisonment and may extend to ten years with or without penalty. But after one and a half centuries, Section-377 was struck down and does not exist with any reasonable grounds. People who belong to LGBTQ communities cannot be punished any longer under this section.

They live with utmost dignity and respect. They have equal freedom as any other gender and are able to live peacefully in the society. Most importantly Transgender is legally recognized as a third gender by the Supreme Court of India by a landmark ruling stating “It is the right of every human being to choose their gender". The court also said that Transgenders are also citizens of India and they must be given equal opportunity to grow.
Transgender community in India is commonly known as the Hijras. it was estimated that around 3 million transgender people live in India alone. Hijra are neither male nor female, but contain rudiments of both. They are born as a male but they find comfort in dressing and looking feminine. While Indian societies are still getting used to the inclusion of the third gender in their lives, 2015 is the year when the first Hijra mayor in India was elected in the city of Raigarh, and in 2017 the city of Kochi hired 23 Hijra to work for their public transit system. Slowly but surely, Indian Societies are accepting LGBTQ.
LGBTQ community was looked down upon for many years because people widely believed it to be a taboo. Majority of people didn’t even know what LGBTQ meant back before Section-377 was struck down. India today is recognizing and supporting LGBTQ Communities widely but there are a lot of people who have little to know knowledge of what LGBTQ is. There also exists a fear among many people who supress their Sexual orientation because they come from conservative families.
Educational institutions, Places of work must include a safe and respectful environment for LGBTQ workers. They must also conduct awareness programs and also educate them about their rights and equality.
The LGBTQ community is protected by the Government of India under the following legislation which have been passed to make an effort to advancing the community.

• Removal of Section 377 of the IPC, 1860. (More about Removal of Section-377)
• The 2019 Transgender Persons. (Protection of Rights) Act. (More about Protection of Transgender Rights)
• Reservations for transgender people. (More about Reservations for Transgender People)

The subsequent case laws fought for the rights and recognition of LGBTQ community.

• Navtej Singh Johar v/s Union of India (6th September 2018): The bench consisting 5 judges in the Supreme Court of India carried out a historical judgement on sexual orientation in which the homosexuality is partially de-criminalised as under section 377 of IPC, 1860 and with the support of Article 14,15,19 and 21 which support and state variations in the human sexuality and orientation. (Read more about Navtej Singh Johar v/s Union of India)
• K.S. Puttaswamy Vs. Union of India (2017): The bench consisting 9 judges in the Supreme Court of India was responsible for its judgement in the case of Suresh Kumar Koushal vs Naz Foundation, 2013 and had to correct itself in this case. (Read more about K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Anr. vs Union of India) 
• National Legal Services Authority Vs. Union of India (2014): The gave a judgement regarding recognition of LGBTQ. The court also stated that non-recognition of the LGBTQ community’s identity violated Article 14,15,16 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court of India ordered the Government of India to treat the members of LGBTQ as a Third Gender and allot reservations in educational institutions along with recognition under (OBC) or Other Backward Classes. (Read more about National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India)
• Suresh Kumar Koushal Vs. Naz Foundation (2013): This case mainly focused on two major arguments. The first one being that the homosexual act was a criminal offense and only the parliament has the power to decriminalise it and the second being the Right to privacy not including the homosexual act. The Supreme Court of India reverted the judgement given by High Court of Delhi and recriminalized homosexuality. (Read more about Suresh Kumar Koushal Vs. Naz Foundation (2013))

How to promote awareness about LGBTQ communities:

1. Educate yourself about what LGBTQ stands for and what its community strives for. 

2.  Raise awareness among friends, family and coworkers that June has been designated LGBTQ Pride Month by posting signs, sending notes or making announcements at regularly scheduled meetups. Mention some of the activities that are happening locally, nationally and worldwide. 

3. Intervene when some you know is being made fun of or is getting harassed for being a part of LGBTQ.

4. Be cooperative and understanding towards all groups of gender orientations and identities.  

5. Create Anti-harassment policies for LGBTQ people in workplaces and educational institutions.

6. Conduct programs, debates, quizzes and workshops to create awareness in educational institutions. This will enable the youth to discover themselves and will clear all of their misconceptions and confusions.

By hosting workshops and camps and enlisting volunteers, Sabr Foundation aims to increase public awareness of the issue and reach as many people as possible.

Mobilization by Volunteers (7-10) 

Rs.2,000 per day x 4 workshops (per month) = Rs.8,000.
40-48 workshops x 12 months = Rs.96,000.
40-48 sessions in 10 different areas in Mumbai = Rs.9,60,000.

40-48 sessions in 10 different areas in Delhi = Rs.9,60,000.

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(For any further information, reach out to us at info@sabrfoundation)