Homosexuality and the Stigmatised Homophobia in Indian Society
Authors: - Sanra Singpho 
Published: November 2022

India being a country with diverse culture, customs, religions, beliefs, and faith stands forth with its largest form of democracy giving its citizens the fundamental right of Equality and of Opportunity; Freedom of speech and expression, Freedom of Religion and guarantees cultural and educational rights by its very constitution. The equality clause (article 14 and 15) in our constitution debars from discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 21 of the constitution gives the right to life and Personal liberty which is the eminent basis of the decriminalization of the age old section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, that banned homosexuality since the 19th century. Section 377 of the IPC violated the fundamental Rights (article 14, 19 and 21) guaranteed under our constitution. It is not that early but on the day of 6th September 2018 was when the Supreme Court ruled and declared its historic judgement by striking down and finally putting an end to the criminalization of section 377 in India.

Like heterosexuals, even the homosexuals have the same right to privacy and live with dignity in the society. It is after the historic judgement that the homosexuals in India got its recognition as Natural and attained the right to live and love with pride and choice. It is only after this judgement that the people in India started opening up about the issue on homosexuality more in the public sphere which remained a taboo since a long time. The awareness in the Indian population regarding homosexuality is helping to cope, adjust and accept the homosexuals into the inclusive society yet prejudice and different negative attitude towards the homosexuals are taking place due to different cultures and lifestyles incorporated into most religions that becomes a source of conflict in the society. The prejudice of Homophobia may also stem from stigmatized conventional social construct, authoritarian parents with homophobic views and from the large mass of people who lacks the knowledge and understanding regarding sex and gender studies. The study aims to find out the people’s attitude towards the Homosexuals in today’s India. It aims to find out the knowledge and understanding of the people towards homosexuality and to analyze their hidden homophobia. For the basis of this study, an online-cross-sectional survey through questionnaire method was used. Snowball sampling method was designed with question relating to sex education, knowledge on homosexuality, attitude towards homosexuality and relevant details to study and analyze the perception and views of the Indian Society regarding homosexuals and the need to understand, recognize and articulate the issues in-depth sight of homophobia was brought into effect. The data was collected using Google forms. The participants had a fair and good knowledge towards homosexuality. They proclaimed a positive and supportive attitude towards the homosexuals. The study showed that the youth and adult population (within the age group of 18-35) were the major and active participants in the survey. The responses were mostly from educated class of people who are graduates from universities in India. The results were that the participants were well aware that homosexuals exist and their acceptance is plurally and equally just, fair and valid in a society; but the personal and cultural homophobia attached still pertains to live somewhere inside them. The issues won’t go away in a day. They are a product of centuries old stigma.

To live in a more inclusive society we need to shed our innocence – deconstruct the theories of conventional homophobia; accept the reality and strive forward towards more equal, free and fair environment. Practical suggestions like good parenting and positive attitude towards the homosexuals should be practiced to help in the inclusion of them in the society. Steps to inculcate ‘gender and sex’ education in school syllabus must be prioritized so that children from the very beginning learn about their existence and divergence towards normalcy to accept the homosexuals becomes universal. Extended knowledge, awareness in form of workshop, seminars and webinars etc. to discuss and talk about the concerns of the homosexuals should be encouraged. The knowledge must be reached out to the public so that revolution in the rights and freedoms of the homosexuality take place at a faster rate.

It is a long road ahead but it is not an impossible fight. Everyone, irrespective of their gender deserves the right to article 21 under the Indian constitution. Homosexuals deserve to live in an equal, just and dignified society. They must strongly be accepted to live with pride in a free and fearless India.