The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQI) community has demanded proper shelter and empowerment from the coming government.

Mumbai: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQI) community has demanded proper shelter and empowerment from the coming government. We will vote for whoever responds to our queries and assures us of empowerment as well as shelter, they said.

In the election fever, the most neglected LGBTQI community is demanding proper safe homes and empowerment. Priya Patil, a Mumbai-based activist cum transgender who represents this community and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) threw light on this community’s demands.

The community is demanding a well-functioning welfare board, education and skills development that will lead to employment and proper shelter. “Shelter homes are not always inclusive spaces, especially in the context of certain ‘women’ who are transgender or from the LGBTQI community. We have no homes so the only choice we have is to be on the road or beg to survive,” said Patil.

“There are educated people in our community, who wish to work, but the society does not give us a fair chance to work. There is very little acceptance where we are concerned. We want to change this picture. If any government satisfies our main demands, we will vote for it,” she said.

“None of the current political parties’ manifestos have covered our points fairly. I‘ve pitched these points in the NCP manifesto, especially related to our community,” Ms Patil said.

The Supreme Court judgment decriminalising consensual gay sex may have empowered the LGBTQI community to be open about relationships and status but at the same time, it has given rise to the demand for shelter and empowerment for those who have had to leave home in the face of opposition or societal backlash.