Our world is one of immense growth and advancement in various disciplines, where the values of equality and empowerment are valiantly canvassed. Ironically, in the same world, the LGBTQ community lives in trauma, struggling on a daily basis with grave prejudice and insensitivity.
On 16th December 2016, a group of resolute students of Tagore International School, named 'Breaking Barriers', engaged in a discussion with our students of classes 10 and 11 in regard to the problems of the LGBTQ community.
The speakers
commenced by introducing the difference between gender and sex. They explained sex i.e. male or female is a biological trait while gender i.e. masculine or feminine are characteristics ascribed by society. We then discussed topics like heterosexuality and homosexuality, which is the infatuation or attraction towards the same gender and the opposite gender respectively. Because of the regressive outlook of a greater part of our society towards them, many people fear to express the way they are and continue to live each day suffering in silence.
The group spoke of the different terms used for gender identity and sexual orientation. We were made aware of the existence of a unique circle of Public Display of Affection, compiled by a sexologist. It represents various displays that are both, accepted or unaccepted within societies.
They added that this community is not new and has been an important part of early Indian scriptures, like that of Shikhandi in the Mahabharata. What is surprising is that even people who claim to have inculcated the truths presented by these scriptures hardly hesitate to chastise the community.
It was good to know of the innumerable movements, protests and rallies that have taken place for the empowerment and acceptance of this community, not only in India but across the world. A movement named 'celebrate pride', attracted many people on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. It was due to these initiatives that our government turned to revisit laws against this so-called 'third' gender, though a long way still has to be scaled until these people are able to live normal and dignified lives.
The presentation and research was commendable and various facts were related to us. It is upto us students, the citizens of tomorrow who must take out nation forward in the spirit of equity and acceptance with engagement, not exclusion.
Gauri Awasthi (XI D).
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