India Highlights 5 Young LGBTQIA+ Change-Makers
In 2018, India’s Supreme Court decriminalized Section 377, a significant step for LGBTQIA+ rights. However, legalizing same-sex marriage and ensuring job and education opportunities for trans people remain ongoing battles. The LGBTQIA+ movement acknowledges intersectionality, where queerness intersects with caste, class, gender, and other identities, highlighting the discrimination faced at these intersections. We celebrate individuals working at these intersections to promote equality.
Rohin Bhatt (He/They) : Queer rights activist, lawyer and bioethicist
In a short legal career, Rohin Bhatt has championed gender neutrality. He pushed for advocate appearance slips with inclusive pronouns and proposed non-gendered court washrooms. Bhatt also joined legal teams advocating for LGBTQIA+ marriage equality, striving to create a safer space and boost queer representation in law.
Grace Banu (She/Her): Dalit transgender activist
Grace Banu, a software engineer turned activist, has led efforts for Dalit trans rights. She established Sandeep Nagar, a township offering housing and jobs, and organized fundraisers for trans people during the pandemic. Banu also fought against the 2019 Trans Protection Bill and founded The Queer Publishing House to promote trans literature in regional languages.
Nu Misra (They/Them): Disabled queer activist and disability justice author based in India
Nu Misra, a queer, disabled non-binary individual, founded Revival Disability India Magazine and Community. Their focus includes leveraging technology to foster safe digital environments for queer and disabled communities online. Misra advocates for building caring communities and collective happiness, striving to document disabled queer experiences through an archival approach.
Varsha Paniker (They/He) & Asawari Jagushte (They/Them): Co-founders at trans-led film production company Star Hopper
Varsha Paniker, a filmmaker, poet, and interdisciplinary artist, along with Asawari Jagushte, a producer and director, co-founded Star Hopper, a trans-led film production company. Star Hopper amplifies women-led, queer, and people of color narratives, aiming to create a queer-friendly environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Their recent projects include the award-winning film Bodies of Desire (2021), exploring intimacy and longing with sensitivity, and Words of Pride (2023), examining queer vocabulary in regional languages.
Vandita Morarka (They/Them/She/her): Founder at One Future Collective
Vandita Morarka, a development policy consultant and gender rights facilitator, established One Future Collective. This social enterprise envisions a world founded on social justice and community care. At One Future Collective’s Queer Rights Centre, Morarka supports young queer leaders, fostering a nurturing environment to empower and advance their leadership.
These individuals and organizations are pioneering change in their respective fields, advancing LGBTQIA+ rights, and advocating for inclusive environments. Their efforts not only challenge societal norms but also create pathways for marginalized communities to thrive.
Re-reported from the article originally published in GQINDIA.
