Pride Month: “Where Homo-sapiens are frowned upon if they’re Homosexual”

In a patriarchal world where the woman is seen as nothing more than a household tool, standing up for her own rights is not only crucial but challenging too. We may think that after nearly 72 years of Independence, the condition of women has improved, and it is true to some extent.But in some spheres, their conditions are the same, if not worse. Try being a woman who is attracted to other women and wants nothing to do with marriage.

Well, here the tables turn. You not only get looked down upon, but you are also chastised for it every day by your parents, your parents’ friends. In an orthodox Hindu household where one’s goodwill is measured by their obedience, respect and discipline, coming out as a lesbian is hard.

My story is somewhat similar to the above scenarios. At times, it feels important for me to come out to my parents, to tell them my true identity and hope for them to accept me. However, the fear of confrontation holds me back. It has taken me a long time to accept myself, and if the acceptance is denied by my very own parents, I feel like it would have a greater toll on my mental health.

Gay pride was born of a necessity to stop humiliation and killings of gay people. It is this that the community looks up to, every year in June. In spite of a colonial law criminalising homosexuality being struck down, the Indian public still has a long way to go in terms of acceptance.