This story is from June 23, 2019

‘Fear and shame holding LGBT community back’

Patna may have taken giant strides in many fields, but there are areas where it still lags behind other cities. The inclusivity of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community is one of them.
‘Fear and shame holding LGBT community back’
Image used for representational purpose
PATNA: Patna may have taken giant strides in many fields, but there are areas where it still lags behind other cities. The inclusivity of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community is one of them.
According to experts, conservative families and societal pressures compel queer people to stay in the closet. Besides, lack of counselling centres also discourages them to identify themselves as part of the LGBT community and voice their opinions.
June is observed as the LGBT pride month all over.
Transgender activist Reshma Prasad says a pride parade is on the cards in Patna next month. The city has already witnessed two such events in 2012 and 2017.
“Due to absence of financial assistance, regular community mobilization cannot take place. We need to sensitize people to the importance of treating the LGBT community with respect and love,” Reshma says.
Patna Women’s College’s mass communication department head Minati Chaklanvis urges Patnaites to do away with stereotypes. She asserts, “Fear and shame hold the LGBT community back. We can bring about a positive change in people’s mindset through street plays and media-mix planning.”
Cybercafe owner Sanjay Kumar, however, has a different opinion. “It’s odd, it’s wrong — naturally and religiously. These people cannot even reproduce,” the quadragenarian says in an irritated tone.

Although only 19 years old, Biharsharif’s Sanskar approves of same-sex relationships. “Most people here, especially those who live in villages, are conservative and won’t accept them. I wonder why,” he asks.
17-year-old Anurag, who is a student in Patna and identifies himself as gay, says, “Close friends and trustworthy people have no problem with my sexual orientation. It is the society, which defines gender roles and ostracises those, who do not fit into predefined moulds.”
Class XII student Geetanjali had realized she was bisexual almost three years ago and mustered up the courage to tell her mother about it. “Instead of supporting me, my mom took me to a psychiatrist and later to an astrologer,” she rues.
Geetanjali is not the only one. Documentation specialist Frank Krishner has heard of numerous cases where parents do not come to terms with their kids’ sexual orientation. He is, however, hopeful and says optimistically, “We still have a long way to go, but things are getting better.”
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