India is neither liberal nor regressive when it comes to LGBT issues. Religion, lack of knowledge on homosexuality, and misconceptions spread by homophobic religious and political leaders are some of the stumbling blocks to LGBT rights. While the Bible and Qur’an are clearly homophobic, most of the Hindu scriptures speak positively about homosexuality. In recent centuries, Hindu religious leaders and Hindutva politicians have also turned homophobic, thus making LGBT rights a difficult task in religiously blind India.

To achieve LGBT rights, we must create awareness among people, clear up misconceptions, and give proper knowledge about homosexuality and LGBT rights. The interference of religion must be reduced as much as possible. We must stop hesitating to speak out openly about such issues irrespective of sexual orientation. LGBT issues must be made a political issue. In the current political system, the Congress and AAP are open to taking up this issue. It is progressive-minded people who must make this issue politically important to achieve one of the important human rights in India.

Albert Einstein’s quote, “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it,” inspires us to fight for human rights.