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Based on global research and estimates:

  1. Global LGBTQ+ Prevalence:
    • Studies estimate that 5-10% of any given population identifies as LGBTQ+.
    • Applying this to India, the LGBTQ+ population could range from 70 million to 140 million, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
  2. Gay Population in India:
    • If approximately 2-3% of the population identifies as gay, this translates to 28-42 million gay individuals in India.

Challenges in Estimating Numbers

  1. Stigma and Discrimination:
    • Many LGBTQ+ individuals in India do not openly disclose their sexual orientation due to societal stigma and fear of discrimination.
    • This underreporting makes it difficult to obtain accurate data.
  2. Limited Research:
    • India lacks comprehensive, large-scale studies on LGBTQ+ demographics.
    • Most available data comes from urban areas, leaving rural populations underrepresented.
  3. Social Norms and Legal History:
    • Until 2018, homosexuality was criminalized under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

      Though public attitudes still have a ways to go, vibrant gay communities can be found in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata.

      gay men india

      Rather than feeling gimmicky, this gives his voice an attractive and vivacious quality, as he revels in the freedom he has online to hook up, to exist on the wild frontiers of contemporary sexuality, where one can be “heteroflexible, homoflexible, objectumsexual, omnisexual, skoliosexual, bi-curious”.

      More here.

      Enjoying the content on 3QD?

      For now, India's gay scene continues to gain acceptance, especially in metropolitan hubs. It tracks how India’s attitudes to homosexuality have shifted over the past 50 years, by following the lives of three gay men in the same family: Vivaan, a 17-year-old who can pass for 21 on dating apps; his uncle, nicknamed Mambro, growing up in the mid-1990s; and Sukumar, his great-uncle (or grand-mamu, and Mambro’s uncle), whom we meet in 1977, fitfully studying commerce in Kolkata.

      Vivaan’s story is written as if dictated via voicenote: apt, as he lives and studies in the “Silicon Plateau” of Bengaluru, India’s hi-tech centre.

      Bollywood is also embracing queer storylines, from "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" to acclaimed series like "Made in Heaven". When not delving into complex societal challenges, Sahil grapples with their ever-expanding library of unread books – a collection that grows faster than their ability to tackle it.

India, with its vast and diverse population, is home to millions of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, including those who are gay.

In 2009, Delhi and Bangalore held their first pride parades. This landmark decision:

  1. Encouraged Visibility:
    • More LGBTQ+ individuals, including gay men and women, began coming out and advocating for their rights.
  2. Boosted Community Support:
    • LGBTQ+ organizations and pride events gained momentum, creating safer spaces for individuals to express their identities.
  3. Increased Awareness:
    • Media representation of LGBTQ+ issues improved, fostering greater understanding among the general public.

Urban vs.

While exact figures are difficult to determine due to stigma, societal pressures, and limited research, there are estimates and studies that shed light on the size and experiences of the gay community in India.

This article explores the demographics, challenges, and progress of LGBTQ+ individuals in India, with a focus on gay men and women.

Estimating the LGBTQ+ Population in India

India’s population, as of 2023, exceeds 1.4 billion, making it the most populous country in the world.

Despite obstacles, India's activists and allies persist in advancing LGBTQ+ equality.

The Curated Links at 3QD *

Rishi Dastidar in The Guardian:

Santanu Bhattacharya turned heads with his 2023 debut novel One Small Voice, which intertwines the personal fallout after a boy watches a mob burn a Muslim man with a panoramic survey of how modern Indian society is changing – buckling, almost – with the rise of Hindu nationalism as its dominant ideology.

Their diverse cultural background informs their writing and research on gender minorities, climate disparity, and intersectional social issues. This legal history has contributed to a culture of silence around LGBTQ+ identities.

The Impact of Section 377’s Decriminalization

In September 2018, the Indian Supreme Court decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships by striking down parts of Section 377.

Rural LGBTQ+ Experiences

  1. Urban Areas:
    • Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata have thriving LGBTQ+ communities, pride parades, and support groups.
    • Access to LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare and social networks is better in urban areas.
  2. Rural Areas:
    • In rural India, traditional values and lack of awareness create significant barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • Many face pressure to conform to heterosexual norms, including arranged marriages.

LGBTQ+ Rights and Progress in India

  1. Legal Recognition:
    • The decriminalization of homosexuality was a significant step, but same-sex marriages are still not legally recognized in India.
  2. Workplace Inclusion:
    • Some progressive companies in India have implemented LGBTQ+-inclusive policies, offering benefits to same-sex partners and creating supportive work environments.
  3. Healthcare Access:
    • Efforts are underway to provide better healthcare services, including HIV prevention and mental health support, for gay men and other LGBTQ+ individuals.
  4. Media Representation:
    • Indian cinema and television are gradually portraying LGBTQ+ characters and stories more authentically, helping to normalize these identities.

Challenges Faced by Gay People in India

  1. Family and Social Pressure:
    • Many gay individuals face pressure to marry someone of the opposite gender and adhere to societal expectations.
  2. Discrimination and Violence:
    • Homophobia remains prevalent, leading to bullying, harassment, and even physical violence.
  3. Mental Health Struggles:
    • LGBTQ+ individuals are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation due to stigma and lack of acceptance.
  4. Lack of Legal Protections:
    • While homosexuality is no longer a crime, there are no anti-discrimination laws specifically protecting LGBTQ+ individuals in India.

Conclusion

While it’s challenging to determine the exact number of gay individuals in India, estimates suggest that millions of Indians identify as LGBTQ+, including a significant number who are gay.

Gay nightlife is blossoming, from clubs to cruising spots.

Despite the legal setback, LGBTQ activists remain hopeful for greater rights and visibility in the future. Experience the welcoming spirit of LGBTQ groups and supportive allies when visiting the country's cosmopolitan cities.

Milestones for India's LGBTQ+ Rights

Section 377 may have recriminalized gay sex, but India's LGBTQ+ community continues making strides.

In 1996, "Fire" became the first Indian film on homosexuality.

A 38-year-old painter from Bengaluru recounts a chilling interaction with his paternal uncle who threatened to kill him if he were his son.

Such accounts reveal the intimate nature of violence, often originating from familial and close social circles, making the trauma even more profound and psychologically devastating.

Many incidents of violence go unreported due to fear of familial intervention or potential police harassment, however, creating a cycle of silence and continued oppression.

Socio-economic factors play a significant role in the vulnerability of MSM.

Men from low-income families, those working in pink-collar jobs (beauticians, sales representatives, and hospitality workers, for example), and those belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities face disproportionately higher risks of sexual violence.

The researchers also critically examine media representation, arguing that stereotypical portrayals of gay men as effeminate characters primarily used for comic relief have potentially normalised verbal ridicule and contributed to escalating violence, particularly against younger individuals.

@skynews More than 2,000 people have taken to the streets of #NewDelhi to dance, sing and cheer in a #pride#parade held in #India♬ original sound – Sky News

The study also found that men who are predominantly receptive during intercourse (bottoming) are more exposed to sexual violence, underscoring the intricate power dynamics and systemic vulnerabilities that exist in and outside of the community.

More broadly, the research proves that decriminalisation, while crucial, is merely a first step.

True protection requires a comprehensive social transformation that challenges ingrained prejudice, promotes education, and creates supportive and respectful ecosystems.

The study serves as a powerful call to action for policymakers, activists, and society at large.

It demands a genuine commitment to understanding and respecting sexual diversity and reflects how urgently India needs to dismantle systemic discrimination to bring about a more inclusive, empathetic society that protects the rights and dignity of all its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.

Sahil Pradhan

Remote WriterDelhi, India

Sahil (they/them) is a remote writer for Thred and an economics undergraduate in India.

And in 2014, India saw its first transgender mayor elected in Raigarh. It marked him out as a novelist able to tell the biggest of stories with the most precise and haunting of details.

His follow-up, Deviants, is even more ambitious. The decriminalization of homosexuality has been a crucial step forward, but much work remains to ensure equal rights, acceptance, and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community.

India’s journey toward inclusivity and equality is ongoing, and every step forward brings the country closer to a future where all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, can live with dignity and pride.

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