Understanding Needs and Requirements of Lesbians, Bisexual and Transmasculine Individuals from Four Districts of West Bengal Post-Decriminalization of IPC Section 377

“This pilot study is based entirely upon the data that have been gathered from our 200 respondents and it has been attempted to highlight some basic needs and requirements (post reading down of IPC Section 377) which are reflecting through actual everyday realities and experiences. Though the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and successively passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on November 26, 2019 amidst severe criticism from the transgender and the larger LGBTQI community and its allies, one can still make demands and claim rights. The legal system in our country has granted the entire LGBTQI population the right to do so. It is necessary to make public institutions accountable for their actions, for their neglect and years of invisibilization and discrimination. It is imperative for the governments to consider specific demands (especially surrounding livelihood, education and health) for all non-heteronormative individuals across location, class, caste, age, gender, ability and religion. This study is offered as a potential document for lobbying with the government in order to demand what is needed for LBT*PAGFB in West Bengal.”