Even though Section 377 was decriminalised in 2018 in India, LGBT+ are not successfully treated equal in various day to day activities. GOI absolutely failed at the equal treatment of its citizens. LGBT+ are constantly been the victims of the evils in the society. They have not been facilitated the basic necessities like public toilets, hostels, etc.
We do see many of them unable to decide which toilet to use. They are humiliated whenever they try to use the public toilets. Even the cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai don’t have adequate gender-neutral toilets. Due to lack of public toilets, they are making their day rigid that they don’t have to use toilets.
Even in restaurants, cinema halls, shopping malls we don’t see gender-neutral toilets. It effects the health and lifestyle of LGBT+. This is a violation of right to life and dignity.
Talking about hostels:
Many universities in India don’t offer gender-neutral hostels. Most students studying in universities would be under the age of 25 or 30... this is where one should feel safe about their personal space. Most of them are not even comfortable to open up their gender identity. The absence of gender-neutral hostels makes life of the students belonging to the queer community difficult. Constant harassment and humiliation leads to anxiety and depression. This is so unfair to leave fellow human beings in the darkness.
Accordingly, it is a question of the safety of heterosexuals too. Just because someone belongs to queer community, doesn’t mean that they are harmless. There is a chance to encounter some crimes by the LGBT+. So it is best to have gender-neutral facilities to avoid any kinds of harm. Gender-neutral hostels/toilets will help to end the discrimination and indifferent treatment between the persons.
There is another concern that needs to be discussed:
According to the reports in 2019, 8% of people in India identified themselves as LGBT+. Activists says the there are even more population that belongs to the queer community. So, when it comes to the unidentified population, they feel even more uncomfortable to use the public facilities, including that are gender-neutral. They are afraid that by using gender-neutral toilets/hostels their identity will be exposed.
Steps Towards The Change –
Fortunately, The Tata Institute of Social Sciences(TISS) in Mumbai was the first educational institute to have a gender-neutral hostel (in 2018).
At the University of Hyderabad, the administration has agreed to convert one of the hostels into a gender-neutral space.
Finally, it’s the duty of the government to officially formulate a policy on these issues and implement them. Even the society should change their perspective towards the LGBT+ and end the humiliation. Both the majority and minority should live in peace together!