Lok Sabha 2024: Parties court queer voters but promises ring hollow

India’s two main parties are pledging to improve life for LGBTQ+ people if they win a general election that starts on Friday, but campaigners say they are paying lip service to gay and trans rights by dodging the key issue of same-sex marriage.

Despite progress on queer rights, same-sex relations remain taboo in India and many queer people hide their identity for fear of discrimination. Last year, the Supreme Court declined to legalise gay marriage in a major setback to equality gains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – which is expected to win a third term and opposes same-sex marriage – has promised in its manifesto more shelters, national ID cards, and access to public health insurance for transgender people.

In its policy plan, the opposition Congress has vowed to introduce a law to recognise same-sex civil unions – stopping short of supporting equal marriage – and seek constitutional changes to prohibit discrimination over sexual orientation.

But LGBTQ+ rights activists said both parties’ promises were disappointing, with the BJP ignoring gay, lesbian and bisexual people altogether and Congress only making vague proposals on recognising same-sex unions after “wide consultation”.

The plan to crack down on discrimination is a gimmick that simply overlaps with existing laws, they added.

“This is all just lip service ... we’re a sizeable electorate, and this...

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