Bhubaneswar: LGBTQIA++ activists in the City have raised fears about an increase in sexual assault cases against community members once the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) comes into effect from July 1 this year. “The soon to be implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita does not include Section 377 or any other law that deals with the rape of men and transgender persons,” said activist Amit Bisoi. He said IPC Section 377 protected consensual sex between same-sex individuals, rape against animals and transgender persons and non-binary persons in same-sex relations. Now that this law has been removed, sexual assault cases in India against the community will increase,” Bisoi said while speaking to Orissa POST on the eve of the International LGBTQ Pride Day, Thursday.
Samikshya Behera, a trans woman, said her demands from the government include the creation of an inclusive environment for the LGBTQIA++ community in the state. Behera, who is a state government employee, said facilities such as toilets for community members, assistance for medical insurance for transgender for their Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and strong action against harassment are the need of the hour.
Rupak Das an LGBTQ activist demanded a discrimination free society and also a progressive new law for LGBTQIA+ community to live a dignified life with all human rights like other gender people in society.
Asisha Behera, a trans woman, said the community members should be proud of who they are and must work together to take the community forward. The Odisha government has been working towards making transgender people part of mainstream society through various programs, like giving them jobs under government schemes.
Meanwhile, Bisoi has a message for the new governments in the state and at the Centre. “We are not just a few lines in your manifestos, we are more than that. We are the voices of a group of underprivileged, marginalized minority individuals. We deserve equal amount of opportunities just like any other citizen in this country. Every queer child deserves to be with the family, safe and loved. It is high time the government should see LGBTQIA++ issues in public forums just like any other issues,” he said. The International LGBTQ Pride Day June 28 is dedicated to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and others to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots which started the modern LGBT rights movement.
ARINDAM GANGULY
