VOICES FROM THE MARGINS: SEXUAL MINORITIES AND THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN INDIA

Abstract

This paper examines the social movements led by sexual minorities in India—encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other marginalized identities—through the lens of New Social Movements (NSMs). It explores how these movements advocate for personal liberty and social transformation by challenging dominant norms around gender, sexuality, marriage, inheritance, and adoption. The term “sexual minorities” is employed to capture the broad coalition of identities mobilizing for rights such as same-sex partnership recognition, gender self-identification, and protection against discrimination. These movements foreground core political values including liberty, equality, justice, and democratization, positioning themselves as a critical force within civil society. The paper also interrogates the tension between state structures and civil society, particularly in the legal and institutional resistance to queer rights. By analyzing the evolving strategies and demands of LGBTQIA+ activism in India, the study seeks to contribute to the construction of a context-specific theory of social movement that reflects the distinct aspirations and challenges of sexual minorities.