A Historical Analysis of Organized LGBT Movement in Post-Independent India

Abstract

Pre-colonial Indian society was much more inclusive about various gender identities and sexual orientations. The colonial rulers came with a civilizing mission by Section 377 of IPC prohibited nonreproductive sex. Moreover they tried to rigorously control and ultimately lead to the extinction of the hijras or eunuchs. But hijras survived inspite of these efforts. In the last decade of the twentieth century LGBT activists started movement against Section 377 of IPC and for the rights of the transgender/hijra persons. This ultimately led to the reading down of Section 377 of IPC in 2018 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019.