Decriminalization of IPC Section 377 has brought a ray of hope for the LGBTQ community. Sarathi Trust, one of the top organizations working in this field in the city since several years, has played a major role in creating awareness on the rights of this community. Anand Chandrani, who founded the trust in 2006, came out in the ‘open’ and has been waging a lonely battle. With his efforts, the NGO has opened branches at Amravati, Chandrapur and, recently, at Wardha. He opens up to TOI how the landmark verdict would not only benefit the LGBTQ community members but also bring the much-needed awareness in society and stop their exploitation.
Excerpts from an
interview...
Q. Since how long are you working in the field for LGBTQ rights?
A. It’s been decade. Our main projects are with the government for creating awareness and provide the members educational facilities. Unfortunately, a majority of them don’t come out in the open fearing social stigma. Our focus is on transgenders and we work to bring them into the mainstream by inspiring them to take up education. Here too, there are two types: First, those who are from well-to-do families and accepted by their members. Some of them are highly qualified and one is a soon-to-be ophthalmologist. The second type is called ‘hijada (eunuchs)’ who are found in trains and at marriages. Their families didn’t accept them. They formed a separate group and have different lifestyle. They’re basically migratory and it’s very difficult to pin them down. They go out in morning and come back only in the evening. Yet, we’re trying our best to educate them.
Q. What prompted a change of heart in the top judiciary?
A. The fight started long back but got teeth after NGO Naz Foundation filed a case in the Supreme Court. In 2013, when its plea was rejected, there were only a few with the petitioner. Five years down the line, many individuals who’re from the LGBTQ community joined them along with their parents, suggesting a growing acceptance. Later, the Psychiatric Society of India also came out in support, dismissing the notion that getting attracted towards the same sex is a mental disorder. The entire media supported us wholeheartedly, which may have led to change in perception. In five years, even the judges have changed and they have adapted with today’s reality. All this may have prompted them to deliver the historic verdict.
Q. How will it benefit the LGBTQ society?
A. Earlier, our members were branded as criminals and humiliated, disrespected and abused. We were under immense pressure from family members as well not to disclose our sexual preferences. Some of us were even forced to marry normal individuals, which then led to ruining of both partners’ lives. In family courts across the country, couples have complained about partners. This is because partners in a majority of these cases prefer same sex partners. LGBTQ members feared job loss, faced trauma of ragging and were subjected to various jokes and torture. With this judgment, the LGBTQ members can live without any fear of being put behind bars. There would be no longer a sense of criminality among them. A similar judgment delivered in 2014 regarding right of privacy and granting citizenship to transgenders also significantly helped in our fight to get equal rights.
Q. Many are now demanding even marriage and adoption rights be given to LGBTQs.
A. Of course, it should be. It’s in fact allowed in many developed nations. Why can’t two adults live together? It’s not always that LGBTQ members come together for physical relations; we also need emotional support and companionship. We are human beings too and need a partner, and there’s nothing wrong if they’re from the same sex. If marriage rights are granted to us, we will not keep changing partners. The risk of diseases like HIV and AIDS would minimize. Secondly, it will also address problems of skewed sex ratio in the country where males outnumber females. By granting adoption rights, we would be able to help orphans by providing them educational and healthcare facilities.
Q. There’s an apprehension that SC verdict would encourage sexual crimes against children.
A. Certainly not, because LGBTQ members are just like normal humans and there is a big difference between them and paedophiles. The society needs to clear this misconception. Of course, we oppose sexual acts with minors and animals. But it’s not necessary that LGBTQ members would involve in such crimes; the only thing is they have different orientation, which was unacceptable in the traditional society till the SC’s verdict.
