NHRC sets up LGBTI Core Group, ropes in activist Harish Iyer 15 member group to advise the commission on harmonising existing laws with needs of the community
14, Aug 2018 | Deborah Grey
Equal Rights activist Harish Iyer has been appointed to the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) Core Group on Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI) issues. This is the first group set up exclusively to look into the concerns and challenges of India’s vibrant rainbow community and marks a step towards greater understanding and acceptance of people from sexual and gender-based minorities.
“Not long ago people in India would dismiss LGBTQIA issues as either non-existent or First World problems. It’s about time that we realise that our rights are human rights because we are also living, breathing, thinking people with hopes, dreams and desires,” says Harish Iyer. “Therefore, when the NHRC set up a core group to look into issues that affect the community, it was a long overdue but significant step in the right direction. As a member of the Core Group, I hope to give the community a vibrant voice that will echo in the corridors of power,” he continues.
The group also includes veteran gay rights activist Ashok Row Kavi, transgender rights activists Gouri Sawant and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Naz Foundation Founder/Director Anjali Gopalan among others.
CJP is a huge supporter of equal rights for people of all sexes, genders and sexualities. We believe Love is Love! To know more about CJP’s commitment to spreading awareness about the LGBTQIA community, please join us and become a member.
The group aims to highlight key issues affecting the community, finding and implementing sustainable solutions as well as engaging in creating greater awareness about and acceptance of people from sexual and gender based minorities. They will also examine existing government policies and laws, and recommend changes or suggest methods for their better implementation. The complete NHRC Order on the composition and objectives of the group may be read here:
Harish Iyer is one of the most vociforous and vibrant voices of the community. He has played a significant role in highlighting how members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community face discrimination and prejudice everyday.
