PRIDE MONTH

Let’s renew our commitment to a just and equal world

Today as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Pride Month, we are reminded of the work that needs to be done. Though more and more people are accepting and embracing LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) and homosexuality identity, still the path towards a more equal and just world remains far ahead of us.

History has been brutally harsh with the LGBTQ community. They have been stripped of their inalienable rights like right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. They have endured ridicule, hate and abuse and vilification just because of their sexual orientation. It is through times of grave disappointment, denunciation, adversity, grief, injustice and despair that the transgenders have stood firm with their formidable spirit, inspired commitment, strong determination and infinite hope and belief that has made them look for the rainbow in every cloud and lead the way to a future that would be the harbinger of liberation and emancipation from a certain bondage indescribable in words — towards the basic recognition of dignity and humanity of all and towards leading a life without pretense eschewing duality and ambivalence.

In the immortal words of Martin Luther King Jr “Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere” Time has come that we finally stand up to this injustice which has been happening right under our eyes for a long time. It is time for change and it is been a long time coming. For decades, LGBTQ community has been neglected and looked down as someone who has a mere animal existence. They deserve better, the society deserves better. That better is nothing but just acceptance by all. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, had said, “I am what I am, so take me as I am”. The society just needs to embrace the thought of more inclusive world where people of different sexual orientation are given a fair shot for themselves, wherein hate and bigotry has no place. We have to bid adieu to the perceptions, stereotypes and prejudices deeply ingrained in the societal mindset so as to usher in inclusivity in all spheres and empower all citizens alike without any kind of alienation and discrimination. Natural identity of an individual should be treated to be absolutely essential to his being. What nature gives is natural. That is called nature within. Thus, that part of the personality of a person has to be respected and not despised or looked down upon.

When the liberty of even a single person of the society is smothered under the perception that the majority population is peeved when such an individual exercises his/her liberty despite the fact that the exercise of such liberty is within the confines of his/her private space, then the signature of life melts and living becomes a bare subsistence.

Bigoted and homophobic attitudes dehumanize the transgenders by denying them their dignity, personhood and above all, their basic human rights. It is important to realize that identity and sexual orientation cannot be silenced by oppression. Liberty, as the linchpin of our constitutional values, enables individuals to define and express their identity and individual identity has to be acknowledged and respected. The ideals and objectives of equality, liberty and justice enshrined in our benevolent Constitution can be achieved only when each and every individual is empowered and enabled to participate in the social mainstream and in the journey towards achieving equality in all spheres, equality of opportunities in all walks of life, equal freedoms and rights and, above all, equitable justice. This can be achieved only by inclusion of all and exclusion of none from the mainstream.

Each generation in a democracy passes the torch of liberty, justice and equality in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present. Now that torch is in our hand and we would use that to lighten up the world. That begins with recognizing rights of the transgenders, decimating the long prevailing prejudices and providing equitable treatment. Let us move from darkness to light, from bigotry to tolerance and from the winter of mere survival to the spring of life to a more inclusive society.

Let this pride month be the month of a renewed hope and enthusiasm to bring a change. Time has come when we become gender blind and bury all the hate and prejudices that has plagued our societies. The arc of the moral universe is long, let’s bend it towards justice. A better and an equal future awaits us provided that we believe in it, work for it and fight for it.

MEHUL SAINI

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