India – ancient or modern have acknowledged sexual orientation exercisable by an individual though the same have been dogged with struggles of discrimination and criminalization. However, these are changing times and there is an acknowledgement that sexual orientation is not a choice and therefore those with different orientations have a right to live just like anyone else, which is part of the right of life. Multinational research firm IPSOS LGBT+ Pride 2021 Global Survey released this year reflects the changing nature of the Indian Population where sexual orientation reflects identification of at least 2% of the population to genders other than male or female and these include transgender, non-binary, non-conforming, gender-fluid and others. Further the report reflects that about 3% of the Indian Population identify as homosexual and 9% identify as bisexual with 1% as pan sexual and 2% identifying themselves as asexual. Hence we are looking at a population of 17%, which is no mean number, identifying themselves with different genders and sexual orientations. This 17% of the population have had to hide or deny or evade their sexual preferences and identity as society might call them unusual or not in conformity with the ordinary. This struggle with their inner selves has led to several battles with authority, selves society and family, one of which recently culminated into a victory of sorts with the Supreme Court of India decriminalizing Homosexuality and considering any discrimination or criminalization due to sexual orientation to be unconstitutional and an infringement of the rights to autonomy, intimacy, and identity and above all the fundamental right to privacy. The Supreme Court also directed the Government to take all measures to properly broadcast this message among the public to eliminate the stigma members of the LGBTQ community face.
Today CII-IWN bring in this very important discussion where though the judgment did open a world of possibilities for this group, the societal acceptance has not changed. The discrimination continues and acceptance of sexual orientation to be a right by choice and preference is not forthcoming. Individuals struggle and hesitate to come out or freely live their sexual orientations and paths or support partners they have come to love. This hesitation is more identifiable or visible at the workplace. Today as the discussion on diversity has taken greater proportions and there is recognition of the fact that workplace has no place for one section or only a singular population to be visible, this dialogue or discussion on diversity needs to encompass that diversity is about humanity, it is about visibility and its about acceptance that an individual is known for their accomplishments or talents, they be identified for their work and their paths and the same should have little to do with gender, sexual orientation, class or caste.
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