LGBTQ rights are one of the most talked about issues in the world today, and while many nations are moving forward to accept homosexuality and grant more rights, the administration as well as the society in India seem a long way from discarding the stigma associated with same sex relationships.
As gay marriages are legalised in some countries, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code considers homosexuality as unnatural and terms it illegal. Even after repeated attempts for getting homosexuality decriminalised, the law which curtails fundamental rights of people is still in effect.
Legal battles are just a part of the problem, since it’s the society’s attitude towards homosexuality which is a major cause for concern. The society finds same sex relationships unacceptable and even sees homosexuality as a mental disease or perversion.
In relation to this a Quora user asked, ‘What is it like to be a lesbian in India?’ The reply by Anamika Pareek brought attention to the lack of acceptance in the society and the resultant anxieties and psychological impact.
Here's what she wrote:
Our life would have been much easier had people accepted us. Since they don't, so our life revolves around pretending and hiding.
Life gets complicated somehow. Especially if we go away from our home for further studies and share room with just another girl. It's easy to hide for some time but can't hide it all the time. If not everyone then room mate surely will get some hint. Though we don't fall for every other girl but there are things which make us uncomfortable, and that's the grey area where we find it difficult to hide. But then the problem is we can't control it plus if we confess it then it will leave others uncomfortable around us. Like, the other day my room mate was asking me if her nipples were visible in the top she was wearing. I looked and told her no. But when I said this, I had a smile on my face which I could not control. Now this question was normal that two girls can ask each other but you tell me will she ask the same question the moment she gets to know that I'm a lesbian?
This was just a minute example that I gave but there are many things which makes us uncomfortable and people think that either we are weird or insane to smile for no specific reason.
The reason we have to hide and pretend all the time is that society will hate us. The only reason we live in depression most of the times and have suicidal thoughts are that we can't tell anyone and not everyone is courageous to come out and face the trouble.
The other day my gf wanted to kiss me. I told her to wait for like years till we start living together because if anyone see us, we will be in jail. Though I consoled her, but here "living together" looks like a distant dream when my parents are worried about getting me married (obviously with a boy). They have no clue about anything.
Accepting the fact that there exists people of different genre can make our lives much more easy. Till then we are hiding and pretending to be straight. The problem is this mask can't be affixed permanently.
From depression and suicidal tendencies to living in fear and pretending to be straight, the reply describes everything that’s wrong with the unfortunate approach of society towards people with a different sexual orientation.
