Vicky Doesn't Get Why He's Treated Differently; How It Concerns Us All

India is a multicultural nation with a complex social and cultural environment, and attitudes about LGBTQIA+ problems can be shaped by a variety of elements, including education, media exposure, ingrained views, and social conventions in the community. Terms like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are uncommon in the hamlet. Although being LGBTQ+ is growing increasingly accepted in metropolitan India, it is still frowned upon in other regions of the nation. 

Are the people living in rural India aware of the developments and their rights? Due to activism, media coverage, and legislative reforms, LGBTQIA+ issues have generally gained more exposure and understanding in India in recent years. An important turning point in this direction was the Supreme Court of India's 2018 decriminalization of homosexuality. But in certain rural places, where conservative views and traditional values could still be prevalent, acceptance and awareness might still be lacking.

Why India's Remote Corners Need More Attention 

Numerous groups, non-governmental organizations, and activists are working to increase inclusion and awareness in rural communities. However, there are still issues, such as the absence of thorough sex education, restricted information availability, and the impact of deeply embedded cultural norms.

It is noteworthy to acknowledge the significant variation seen in rural India; certain groups may exhibit lower levels of awareness or acceptance, whilst others may exhibit more progressive attitudes. Community involvement, education, and the creation of safe places for conversation and debate are frequently included in initiatives to advance acceptance and understanding. There is hope for more acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ population in India's rural and urban areas as knowledge of the issue grows.

The Story Of Vicky And Why It Should Matter To Us All

I take this platform to tell the readers about Vicky, a regular youngster from Barki Dhawari, an isolated village in Bihar. Vicky is a 21-year-old boy who is currently studying geography honours. Ever since his childhood, Vicky behaved in a manner which was not acceptable to other members of his small town in Bihar. He was ridiculed and teased in front of the entire community for the way he walked, spoke, and even aimed. Today, nothing has changed for him.

In an interview with Vicky he stated, "Mujhe khud nahi pata log haste kyun hai but mein aisa hi hu". While asking him to share his journey he said “I don’t know who I am and I don’t know about the LGBTQ+ community and their rights. When I was born, everything was normal and, later on, I started developing a liking towards getting ready, wearing makeup and dancing. All my family members and friends were ashamed of me and taught me that this isn’t the way a BOY behaves. I even felt like something was wrong with me and I tried to change but failed to do so.” It is disheartening to see that, despite urban India's rise along the development ladder, rural India continues to lag behind. 

Vicky also said, "Mujhe nahi pata ye 377 kya hai aur nahi humme college mein padhaya yeh." Lack of right education is causing a small-town boy who wants to be a social media influencer and dancer to struggle with self-discovery. Further discussion with him revealed that he was unsure of his identification due to his lack of knowledge about the community. He said, "Shaadi toh karni hai ek din, karlenge; ladki se hi hogi mein toh ladka hu," when I questioned if he would marry a female when the time came. Furthermore, when I described the idea of the community to him he replied, "Mere jaise aur bhi hai gaaon mein, unki bhi shaadi hogyi parr ladki se hii,". Vicky sadly concluded by stating“I knew that in rural Bihar, where I come from, I would never be allowed to live like this, that is why I want to become famous and earn money through my dancing and skills”. 

While people in urban India are struggling for dignity, equality and livelihood, people in rural India fail to even identify themselves. Any kind of discrimination based on sexual identification is outlawed under the Constitution. Additionally, it specifies that in order to protect women and children from discrimination and denial of rights, governments may enact specific legislation. It does not, however, say that similar safeguards can be added for LGBTQ+ people. 

But who is to be blamed for this? Is it only the urban environment or the educational system? This is certainly something to reflect upon.