The Historical Trajectory of LGBTQ+ Rights: A Global Perspective

Abstract

This essay examines the evolution of LGBTQ+ identities from an international and Indian standpoint, emphasizing how important same-sex relationships and gender diversity have been to human cultures throughout antiquity. Numerous societies acknowledged different gender roles within religious, philosophical, and social traditions, as evidenced by early civilizations like Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, and Rome. Indigenous Two-Spirit traditions placed a strong emphasis on social and spiritual harmony, while Greek philosophers like Plato mirrored ideals of androgyny and fluid identity. These historical instances highlight the profound cultural foundations of gender and sexual diversity around the globe. However, many inclusive behaviour were later prohibited by colonial expansion and strict moral standards. Pre-colonial literature, temple sculpture, and cultural customs in India demonstrated a sophisticated awareness of third-gender groups and non-heteronormative identities. Through Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which made same-sex relationships illegal and exacerbated stigma, British colonial rule imposed Victorian moral norms. Long-term legal instability and social marginalization were caused by this law's continuation after independence. The report also charts the emergence of organized queer activism starting in the 1990s and the effects of significant court rulings, such as the decriminalization of transgender people in 2018 and the recognition of transgender people in 2014. Discrimination still exists despite advancements. The study comes to the conclusion that complete legal reforms, inclusive policies, and persistent attempts to change societal perceptions are necessary for full equality