Author: Mimansha Mishra, Sunbeam School, Varuna, Varanasi
The LGBTQIA+ community has always faced some or the other kind of discrimination just because their gender happens to be something other than male or female. This bullying and discrimination goes to such an extent that a lot of people can’t even muster up the courage to reveal their sexuality. They have to pretend to be someone who they are not.
A comprehensive new study from the Center for American Progress finds that many LGBTQIA+ people continue to face discrimination in their personal lives, in the workplace and the public sphere, and in their access to critical health care as the medical staff is unaware as to how to treat them. Due to lack of job opportunities they are either forced to beg or get into prostitution to earn a living. They lose the right over their own bodies and are prone to sexually transmitted diseases.
The only way to prevent this harassment is by providing proper education to these people. The initiative has been taken up by many activist groups to ensure quality education for the transgender community, for example Sahaj International School in Kerala, Delhi University opening up to transgender students in 2014, etc.
According to a report in The Economic Times transgender community in India will soon be granted reservation by including them in the central list of OBCs. Moreover, Karnataka has become the first state in India to provide 1% reservation for the community in all the government services. LGBTQIA+ pride month is celebrated annually in June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots. The celebration includes pride parades, parties, workshops, concerts and a lot many other activities which attract millions of participants around the globe.
The LGBTQIA+ community deserves the same amount of respect that’s given to any other gender because gender must not form the basis of any prejudice or stereotype. They must not be deprived of equal opportunities and should get a platform to showcase their skills and put forth their opinions.
The social stigma against LGBTQIA+ community has a very detrimental effect on their mental health. Hence, let’s make an effort to change the mindset of the people and try to educate them and make them aware that how a person’s sexuality is not something that they should be ashamed of.
Together, let’s make this world a better place for them to live in with all kinds of differences and embrace them as they are.
Author: Mimansha Mishra.
She finds inspiration in books and poems and writing is her passion. She expresses herself through sketching and loves listening to music. She wants to work for the betterment of the minority and wants to be proud of herself when she looks back in the past.
The mindset of society has to change if one really wants to make a difference in their lives. I am glad to see a few like you in this generation open up and discuss issues considered ‘taboo’. As an educator I have dealt with a few children and parents who were shattered since they were ostracised. Kudos to you for writing in the subject.
Thank you so much for your kind gesture.
In the era where our young generations become very busy on wasting their time on social media,games nd web series…I have a sister like u who think about this kind of important thing which is really important for our society,…proud of you my lill one