LGBTQIndiA+ Wiki

A wiki with resources on various topics concerning LGBTQIA+ folks in India. Please do contribute.

## **Introduction**

The purpose of this section is to explain for those that don't know, what the term LGBTQIA+ signifies and the identities it represents. Originally, the term LGBT was used to refer to a collective coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities united in their fight for equal rights and recognition in society. Today, the term LGBTQIA+ expands further on this and broadly refers to people of many different queer orientations and identities that are often marginalized in our society. Queer people of all shades have always been an integral part of the equal rights moment world-wide even if the initial acronym of LGBT may have failed to reflect this fully.

### **Sexuality**

Sexuality is basically defined by a person's sexual attraction in relation with other people. Some common terms related to sexuality are:-

* **Homosexual**: The word homosexual broadly refers to a person who is sexually attracted to people that are the same gender as them.
	+ **Lesbian**: The term lesbian refers to a homosexual woman, that is one who is only sexually attracted to other women.
	+ **Gay**: The term gay is usually refers to a homosexual man that is one who is only sexually attracted to other men.

* **Bisexual**: The term bisexual is used to refer to a person who is sexually attracted to people of any gender. The term bisexual can be used for both men and women. For bisexual people, sexuality can be similar to a spectrum where they may have more preference towards people of a certain gender than the other but the term bisexuality still can apply to them as it simply refers to someone that is attracted to people of multiple genders.
* **Pansexual**: The word pansexual while it is often used interchangeably with bisexual for general purposes, arose to be more inclusive in its definition and to define a type of sexuality where a person's gender or sex doesn't matter. So basically, the term pan-sexual refers to someone that is attracted to people regardless of their gender.
* **Asexual**: An asexual person is someone who does not experience any/very little sexual attraction to people.However, asexuality is a spectrum wherein the degree of sexual attraction, though comparatively less than other people, is variable. To give some more context to this identity, in a conventional society which regards settling down with a partner as being successful in life, it puts pressure on people to pursue relationships whether they wish to or want to. Thus, this term arose to recognize the experiences of people who don't feel any/little sexual attraction towards others and their struggle in society.
* **Aromantic**: The term aromantic stands for people who do not experience/ experience very little romantic attraction to other people. Although aromantic people may experience other forms of attraction such as platonic, sensual, aesthetic, alterous or sexual attraction.

Note: The word 'heterosexual' means someone who is not 'homosexual' i e, someone that is straight and the word 'cis-gender' is used to refer to people whose gender identity and the gender they were assigned/assumed at birth are always aligned to each other i e, someone that isn't trans.

### **Gender Identity**

Gender identity is the personal sense of one's own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person's assigned sex at birth or can differ from it. Gender expression typically reflects a person's gender identity, but this is not always the case. Transgender (or trans\*) especially as an umbrella term covers all people whose gender identity differs from what they were assigned (or assumed) at birth.

A relatively new and inclusive term "gender-diverse" is gaining popularity as an umbrella term for all trans\*, non-binary, and gender non conforming people

1. **Binary Gender identities**: This typically refers to men and women. Cisgender or "cis" is a prefix used for people that are not trans (i.e. cis men and cis women). Similarly transgender is not a gender on its own and it only works as a prefix. Trans men are men, and trans women are women irrespective of the medical procedures or surgeries they choose to undergo or their presentation/expression.
	* **Trans woman:** A woman who was assigned a different sex (most commonly male - AMAB) at birth
	* **Trans man:** A man who was assigned a different sex (most commonly female - AFAB) at birth
2. **Non-binary gender identities**: This refers to people that neither identify as men or as women. There are several categories of non-binary genders but they are broadly grouped under the banner of "non-binary". Thus, people belonging to this category generally refer to themselves as non-binary and may use gender neutral pronouns such as they/them. (See: Non-Binary 101)

For a person to be considered trans or to belong to their self perceived gender, they do not necessarily need to be diagnosed with the medical condition of gender dysphoria (or incongruence), nor do they need to transition in any way, although most do.

Gender identity and sexuality are different. A trans person can be straight, gay, bisexual, asexual or anything else
> TERM TO AVOID: "transgenders," "a transgender"
>
>

> Transgender should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Do not say, "Tony is a transgender," or "The parade included many transgenders." Do not write "transwoman" or "transman." Do not capitalize transgender, unless it begins a sentence or is part of a name (e.g., National Center for Transgender Equality).
>
>

> BEST PRACTICE: transgender people, a transgender person
>
>

> For example, "Tony is a transgender man," or "The parade included many transgender people." "Marisol is a trans woman" or "Mason is a trans man" or "Julio is a non-binary transgender person"
>
>

See https://www.glaad.org/reference/trans-terms
#### Third-Gender

The Indian sub-continent is also home to several religio-cultural groups consisting of trans\* women, non-binary and intersex individuals, with specific religious traditions and rites, possibly dating back several centuries (or even millennia), these groups commonly known under the umbrella of "third-gender" are a diverse set and have different names and traditions in different regions, with terms like the "hijra", "kojja", "aravani", "kinnar", etc. (Note: Several of these terms are considered slurs and must be avoided unless the person themselves identifies as such and tells you they want to be referred to by one of those terms).

It must be noted that a vast majority of Indian trans\* and intersex individuals are **not** a part of any of these groups and do not identify with any of their labels or the term "third-gender".

The hijra-jamath system has come under criticism for instances of serious human rights violations, as explained here in this link. That said it should be remembered that not all of the various traditional "third-gender" groups follow the same system or even a similar one, and that the practises & traditions are very widely varied between various groups, cultures, & regions, and may not be similarly abusive.

### **Queer**

The LGBT community has reclaimed the word queer which was used a slur against anyone generally belonging to the community. It has become a word that can refer to anyone that belongs to the community. It can be used generally to refer to the community broadly or by specific individuals who find they have a complex identity that is not easily explained or understood and also used by some people who are questioning their identity and those do not want to share/dwell into the details of their gender or sexuality etc.

### **Intersex**

An intersex person is someone that is born with a body that differs due to physical variations from the typical definition for male or female bodies. This a broad category that encompasses a variety of people. Intersex people have a gender identity and sexual orientation separate from their intersex status like everyone else, and so they can additionally be trans or non-binary as well, but they are not trans\* by default because they're intersex just like anyone else, as some wrongly assume. (Learn more)

## **Articles**

### **Coming Out**

* Coming out in India
* Coping with abusive and unsupportive parents/friends/family
* Mindset to deal with unsupportive parents after coming out

### **Gender Identity**

* Non-Binary 101
* Resources on the basics of all things Trans\*
* A guide to questioning your gender
* Medical Transition in India
* Legal Name and Gender Change in India

### **Sexual Orientation**

* Compulsory Heterosexuality & The "Am I a Lesbian" Master-doc
* The Aromantic/Asexual Spectrum - Aro/Ace 101

### **Resources**

* Lists of Queer Friendly Mental Health Professionals
* PrEP in India
* STD & HIV/AIDS testing
* Travel Safety and Laws around the world

## **Communities**

* https://www.reddit.com/r/lgbtindia
* https://transgenderindia.com/talk/
* https://www.reddit.com/r/transgenderindia
* https://www.reddit.com/r/AroAceIndia/
* Community Discord: https://discord.gg/5zKQnWxhRf

Disclaimer