ITANAGAR, Mar 17: AP QueerStation in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women organized a sensitization programme on Gender and Sexual Minorities (LGBTQIA+) at the APSCW office today.
The program began with a keynote address by APSCW Chairperson Yalem Yaga Burang, who highlighted that this marked the first time the Commission has conducted a sensitization program with focus on LGBTQIA+ communities, an important and progressive step towards inclusivity and awareness.
She encouraged the participants to actively engage with and benefit from the information shared by the resource persons. She also emphasized the importance of not discriminating against or neglecting the LGBTQIA+ community, and instead urged everyone to learn, understand, and support their mental and emotional well-being.
The program featured three speakers: Sawang Wangchha, queer activist and founder of AP QueerStation; Bamang Tago, Chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC); and Dr Yuma Narah Camdir, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Humanities, NERIST. Each speaker addressed different aspects of LGBTQIA+ issues.
Wangchha spoke on the topic “Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities, Rights, and Social Challenges.” He addressed the common confusion between sex, gender, and sexuality, and explained key LGBTQIA+ terminologies in a simple and accessible manner. He also shared his personal journey as a gay man, reflecting on the challenges of growing up in a heteronormative society and the pressure to conform.
He spoke about his ongoing work with AP QueerStation, where many young people reach out for guidance and support, often during moments of crisis. Addressing the misconception that LGBTQIA+ identities are a ‘Western concept’, he highlighted indigenous perspectives, including the Mumbal identity from the Adi community. He also emphasized that diversity exists in nature, citing examples from the animal world, including clownfish, which can change sex.
He expressed gratitude to the APSCW, acknowledging their role as nurturers and caregivers, and encouraged them to become the first line of support for LGBTQIA+ children. He also advocated for the inclusion of trans women in all women’s spaces, emphasizing that women’s movements remain incomplete without their participation.
He concluded by stressing the importance of inclusivity and intersectionality in all social movements.
Tago spoke on the theme ‘Equality, Acceptance, and Mental Well-being’. He highlighted key legal and constitutional developments related to the queer and trans community, including the landmark 2014 NALSA Judgment, the Navtej Singh Johar case, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. He assured continued support for the LGBTQIA+ community in Arunachal Pradesh and emphasized the need to expand awareness and sensitization programs across districts by involving NGOs, CBOs, and other relevant stakeholders.
Dr Camdir reflected on her doctoral research conducted at Rajiv Gandhi University, sharing her experiences of interacting with LGBTQIA+ individuals during her study. She presented insights and testimonials from her research, highlighting issues such as isolation, depression, and substance abuse often arising from the challenges of navigating queer identities in unsupportive environments. She also spoke about internalized homophobia, self-hate, and bullying, which stem from societal and familial pressures.
Additionally, she referenced the presence of LGBTQIA+ identities in Indian mythology to counter the misconception that queer identities are foreign or Western, citing examples such as “Shikhandi from the Mahabharata and depictions of same-sex relationships in temple sculptures”.
Among the invitees, Jarjum Ete shared that, as the newly appointed president of APWWS, she looks forward to collaborating with the community on similar initiatives in the near future.