POLICY BRIEF

We live in a society that is deeply structured by sex and gender. Sex and gender play a
significant role in our society. Every aspect of our culture is influenced by the classification
of persons as "male" or "female." The acronym LGBTQI refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and intersex people. We use the collective term “LGBTQI people” because they
are a diverse group that nevertheless faces some common challenges. LGBT people are
seen with a biased perspective which results in continuous abuse, Assault, and Harassment
of them. If we look at the increasing hate crime against this community, the real agenda is
to send a message with the motive of instilling fear in them.
In India, violence experienced by heterosexual women parallels violence experienced by
LGBT individuals, especially in the family. Forms of Assault and Harassment include forced
marriage, seclusion from society, and punishment by family members for exercising sexual
choice which range from home confinement to forced termination of education and many
more.
This community faces higher rates of poverty, stigma, and marginalisation, which puts them
at greater risk for Assault and Harassment of various natures including sexual, verbal, etc.
The 2019 Transgender Survey found that 47% of transgender people are sexually assaulted
at some point in their life. For LGBTQ survivors of Sexual assault, their identities and the
discrimination they face surrounding those identities – often make them hesitant to
seek help from police, hospitals, shelters, or rape crisis centers, the very resources that
are supposed to help them.
Among students who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, some 37.1 percent have been
victims of cyberbullying—electronic harassment via text messages or social media—
compared to 13.3 percent of their heterosexual peers. Another study from the LGBTQ
advocacy organization GLSEN found that 48.7 percent of LGBTQ students experienced
electronic harassment via text messages or social media in a given year. The study also
found that LGBTQ students most often experienced verbal harassment at school based on
sexual orientation (70.1 percent), gender expression (59.1 percent), and gender (53.2
percent).

Our policy to cater the justice for the LGBTQ community with respect to them being often
exposed to Assault and Harassment is based on five dimensions of Human Development.
These policies are made in consideration of the various inputs given by the different
stakeholders including the LGBTQ community.
1. Education
2. Health & Housing
3. Security and Justice Delivery Mechanism
4. Economic Well- Being
5. Political + Civil Participation
EDUCATION.

Providing direction to education institutions to have curricula that include information on

sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.

By creating LGBTQ-straight alliances (also known as gay-straight alliances or GSAs) in

Educational Institutions. GSAs will be extracurricular clubs that can improve understanding
between LGBTQ students and their heterosexual peers, helping to create safer schools, and
colleges. In Institutions with GSAs, supportive teachers, or supportive policies (such as
inclusive curriculum and anti-bullying policies), LGBTQ students will hear fewer negative or
homophobic remarks from peers, see better intervention rates from school personnel, and
have greater feelings of safety which will impact positively in their overall growth.

Establishment of an anti-bullying committee and providing a concrete mechanism for

prevention and addressing the assault and harassment against students.

HEALTH & HOUSING.

Expanding Medicaid can provide more affordable access to healthcare for LGBTQ
individuals who are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. Ensuring LGBTQ
individuals receive equal access to healthcare services by protecting individuals from
discrimination. Training the healthcare staff on LGBTQ health issues and providing
facilities that are welcoming and inclusive of these individuals. These will promote
health justice and will provide equitable and inclusive healthcare services.

Prohibition of Discrimination while selling or renting the apartments and ensuring

nonisolation of the LGBTQ community in Society.

SECURITY AND JUSTICE DELIVERY MECHANISM.

Mandatory training programs for judicial, law enforcement, and correctional officials will
incorporate training on human rights and protection from violence concerning LGBTQI. A
committee headed by a Judicial Officer and members from civil societies in every district to
redress the grievances in a speedy way.

ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

To make employers inclusive and compliant and to communicate the same to all the
employees in a regular and conspicuous way. Creating a Grievance Redressing Committee
which will ensure quick redressal.

Modernizing harassment-prevention training with realistic and representative scenarios,

including those reflecting LGBTQ issues. Developing gender-transition resources for
employees. Creating inclusive policies reflecting current nomenclature.Including LGBTQ
demographics in diversity and inclusion data. Asking senior leaders to sponsor and support
LGBTQ organizations. Incentivising employers for hiring from LGBTQ Community.

POLITICAL + CIVIL PARTICIPANT

Establishment of a national organisation related to LGBTQI that operates openly. NGOs

allowed to be registered which stand for the cause of this community. Providing
opportunities to be part of the political as well as administrative institution.

Stringent implementation of the existing laws to safeguard the rights of LGBTQI

a pledge of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, namely to “leave no one behind”,
makes questions of measurable inclusion high priorities, even though LGBTI people are not
specifically mentioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)