Sanjose A Thomas

The phrase LGBTQI± is often used in the present social scenario to refer to the sexual minorities who claim a distinct status in the social ladder which particularly refer to their sexual identity and orientation. It includes all those people who claim to belong to specific groups based on their body identity and sexual orientation. We now categorize them as LGBTQI± which ascertain their peculiar orientation and help them to stay connected with the same.

If we examine the history of the contemporary society we may very shockingly realise that these groups whom we designate as of now by these names were alarmingly marginalized and they remained almost non – visible till the last century especially when we approached them from the point of view of the victorian moral code or from the traditional outlook which considered them as demeaning in their own physical identities. Last century witnessed many upheavals for their liberation and to bring them into the social mainstream and mainstay which was met with fierce resistance in many forms and from many corners. But the struggle continued irrespective of the opposition and it tried to gain strength from similar mobilisation efforts like the dalit movements and other subaltern interventions. The first decade in the 21st century was very hopeful for the LGBTQ sections who could considerably gain ground in their forward march in gaining acceptance and legitimacy in the long run. The outlawing of section 377 which criminalised their acts and the emergence of LGBTQI activism created a favourable environment for making them socially visible in the last decade. We started accepting them with some gainful employment, with public approval and they even were provided with admissions to our regular schools and colleges on that basis. This social visibility didn’t ever take the form or shape of cultural or institutional visibility as they continued to be ridiculed, targeted, ostracized and even criticised for their bodies as well as for their sexual orientation. Many often they remained marginalized from the social mainstream despite many attempts to ensure social inclusion for the same. As we know very recently in ‘progressive’ Kerala a young priest as part of his social responsibility and commitment to vulnerable sections hoisted a Christmas star showing unity and compassion for the queer for which he was targeted and even ridiculed without even understanding his noble intention. The real problem lies in the fact that we are often reluctant to treat many marginalized sections of our society as ‘normal’ human beings and to include them in our spaces whether social, political or cultural. Our approach despite attempts outside our institutional framework to conscientize people on the need to show compassion and fraternal care for the queer or the sexual minorities, we remain orthodox and reactionary in our social interface with these groups.

I am sure we may have to wait for another decade or even more to see an LGBTQ Member of Parliament or an MLA or a Professor adoring a university position. Let us make our public spaces more inclusive and more responsive so that we hear those unheard voices which were smothered and treated roughshod in our yesteryears.