LGBTQ community lauds change in mindset

BHUBANESWAR: Though a completely inclusive society for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community is still a distant dream, there are positive changes in the mindset of people towards the community.
Sociologists and LGBTQ activists said change must begin from home and family acceptance would go a long way in ensuring societal acceptance to LGBTQ people.
“I am really thankful to each and every person who supported me after they knew about my same-sex relationship. I think it requires some courage initially to open up about your sexual orientation but once people know about it they will support. Mindsets are certainly changing and soon discrimination against LGBTQ people will be a thing of the past,” said ace sprinter Dutee Chand.
June being celebrated as the ‘pride month’, several city-based LGBTQ activists said they are planning a pride march soon.
Professor in sociology at Utkal University Navaneeta Rath said, “There has been some change but stigmatisation of the LGBTQ community in the society continues. Acceptance for these people is coming in a reverse way as it starts from the peer group and later in the family. Parental acceptance is a must for a truly LGBTQ inclusive society and for which we must have counselling centres for parents.” Rath said welfare schemes and path-breaking laws on the rights of LGBTQ community in the last few years helped in mainstreaming the community to a large extent. “Welfare schemes can prevent disowning of LGBTQ persons by the family while scholarships and quota in education and jobs can help in eliminating stigma,” she pointed out.
Many from the community securing prestigious positions in the society has paved the way for others to join the mainstream.
“Family support is most crucial. If my parents would not have provided me education or abandoned me like many others I would have ended up begging or doing some odd job. I am a public servant and so far I have never got any bad remark or comment either from my colleagues or people for my sexuality. It suggests that society is changing,” said Aishwarya Rituparna Pradhan, a transgender and commercial tax officer at Paradip.
However, amidst all these positive changes, LGBTQ activists said a lot has to be done for sensitizing people on this. “It has been a long and strenuous struggle to get our rights but a lot has to be done before the LGBTQ community is treated as normal in the society. This would be possible with support and initiative from the government,” said Meera Parida, chairman of All Odisha Transgender Welfare Trust and transgender activist.