Homosexuality in India is a punishable offence u/s 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which makes ‘coming out of the closet’ quite a dangerous prospect for the LGBTQ community. However, on a rainy Sunday morning members and supporters of the LGBTQ community were joined by like-minded folks for a conclave at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

With interactive sessions, panel discussions and film screenings, the conclave focused on sensitisation towards homosexuals, the problems they face in the corporate world and educating people about the community. The event saw leading LGBTQ advocates Sridhar Rangayan, Udayan Dhar, Dhaval Shah and Ashok Row Kavi along with a bevy of management students and professionals, who voiced in unison to put an end to the prejudice meted out to the LGBTQ community.

‘Be professional’

“Did you know that 65 per cent LGBTQ professionals consider the company’s diversity policies as a major factor before joining a new organisation?” said Udayan Dhar, founder and editor-inchief of Pink Pages, India’s largest online LGBT magazine. “If there is no acceptance at the person’s workplace, it will affect his/her performance at work. Some people have also written if off saying ‘Office is not a place to discuss personal issues’, which is quite hypocritical; being a heterosexual, don’t you discuss your family life and partners with your colleagues?”, he further added Understanding their condition Former journalist, writer, gay rights activist and founder of Humsafar Trust (the largest NGO working towards LGBT rights in India), Ashok Row Kavi spoke on how people don’t understand gender diversification and government’s negligence towards the community.

“When I returned to India from Montreal in the late 1980s, I was worried because gay men were fighting for their very lives. Eighty percent of HIV infections were among gay men at that time — but hardly 8 per cent of government funding was going towards gay organisations. I visited the Health Ministry to gain support but their their first reaction was, ‘There are no homosexuals in India’. Once I also had a spat with Kiran Bedi when I asked her to distribute condoms in Tihar Jail because the men were indulging in sexual activities with men. She said, ‘It will encourage them to have sex’. Now they do distribute condoms in the jail and the HIV rate has fortunately reduced.

Acceptance – then and now

Has the acceptance level of people towards LGBTQ increased than earlier times? “Not much has changed in Ahmedabad. It is good that such group meets and events are being organised regularly. From my standpoint, many people are changing their attitudes. But that is a universal trend across India as people are getting more educated and aware about it through media, online platforms. But does it create a wider trend among other people? I am not sure if such a change is being effected,” said Dhaval Shah, a Business Design Strategist.

Here to stay

The event showcased social awareness films from Kashish – the travelling campus LGBTQ film festival. This was followed by a panel discussion the LGBTQ movement around the world and in India. “Section 377 is the peg that got all of us together to protest for liberation. No matter how much fun Bollywood makes of us but we all know what Karan Johar is up to. We are there and here to stay. You can’t get rid of us,” Ashok signed off.