Can Lgbtq Community Be Helpful In Women Equality?

The LGBT Community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) has long been subjected to the ignominy and ostracism not just in India but all round the globe. The historic judgement of the Supreme court of India that declared section 377 unconstitutional and legalised consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex, was not just well-received by the LGBT Community but also seen as a milestone in the long-fought battle for Gender equality.

Women’s rights and LGBTQ rights are deeply intertwined. What people fail to understand is that belonging to LGBT Community just marks a different sexual orientation and has nothing to do with the gender of the individual. A woman who is a lesbian or bisexual is still a woman. People who preach feminine equality or feminism often take a backseat when promoting issues for LGBT comes to the surface. They often regard it as a subject that does not concern women empowerment, which is preposterous. Strengthening or empowering women of the society actually means accepting, celebrating, supporting, guiding and uplifting women, irrespective of their sexual preferences or sexual identities. Just being entitled and committed towards the issues involving straight and cisgender women and neglecting the discrimination and prejudice that women who are lesbians or bisexual, questioning and the Transgenders have to endure is simple hypocrisy. Believing in empowerment for all and not empowerment for some is the true definition of ‘equality’.

Around the world, this entrenched system of gender inequality and discrimination prevent both the women and the LGBTQ Community from accessing their basic rights equally- Right to equal education, health, employment etc. Their views are often subdued or overlooked. Even History traces back to tell us that LGBT equality connects to gender equality. There have been incidents in the history of women empowerment movements where the feminist leaders have conveniently backed off while addressing equality for the LGBTQ Community and working for Transgenders. You cannot call yourself a ‘female equalist’ or ‘feminist’ and yet be Homophobic. Although, there are female activists who have taken this movement a step forward by including the LGBT community in this struggle for women equality. Rosanna Flamer has done tremendous work in Sri Lanka in this regard which is highly appreciable owing to the fact that Sri Lanka is a country that staunchly believes in patriarchy. Linda Baumann from Namibia is also a similar example in this regard.

According to a 2006 report from an NGO, Human Dignity Trust, the lesbian and bisexual women are particularly vulnerable to violence, control and abuse due to the potent mix of misogyny and homophobia. Thus, strengthening the LGBTQ community and fighting for their rights is a guiding path to Women Empowerment. Neither your gender nor your sexual preference should ever hinder the choices you make, the opportunities you get and the treatment you receive.