The Talk

Today the group had the pleasure of learning about the LGBTQ+ community of India. The presentation, by Aditi Rindani, highlighted the many problems and misconceptions that the community faces day to day. It also showed some of the important milestones that were overcome when challenging the laws against gay rights. In addition, the group had the honor of meeting Saesha Kini, a trans man, who has had to preserve in a culturally strict society.

Hearing her story made me think of my own family. How coming out, even to your family, can be so challenging. Especially when the society has been conditioned to believe in something that was not apart of their belief. One of the things that I noticed was that homosexuality was apart of the cultures way before Christ. Then it became taboo after colonial rule. It goes to show the scars left behind after colonization. What was also brought up was the journey taken to secure rights for the people. In particular, Section 377, which made same sex relationships illegal. It became overruled, but then was brought back soon after. Until 2018, the law was changed, making same sex relationships legal. This was a step in the modern direction. Even if there are still problems to fix, this is a start. Maybe someday there will be a more drastic change, but baby steps.