In India, countless students endure the torment of bullying due to their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Such instances of persecution push numerous young people to abandon their educational journey prematurely. UNESCO’s New Delhi office collaborates with Sahodaran, a Chennai-based male sexual health initiative, to study the phenomenon of SOGI-rooted bullying in Tamil Nadu. This article sheds light on this escalating issue.
Survey Findings: A Direct Hit on Students’ Lives
According to the community-led research performed by UNESCO and Sahodaran, 60% and 50% of participants reported that they had been victims of physical bullying during their middle/high school and higher secondary school years, respectively. The study found that 40% of these students had experienced sexual harassment during their primary school years. Notably, only 18% of the respondents reported incidents of SOGI-based bullying to school authorities. Of these, 53% stated that the authorities took some form of action against the perpetrators of the bullying.
Consequences of Bullying: Impact Beyond Physical Harm
The repercussions of SOGI-based violence extend beyond the immediate physical harm inflicted. The study found that such bullying has far-reaching consequences on the victims’ mental health, academic performance, and social life. Specifically, 73% of respondents reported a decrease in their social interactions, while 70% suffered from anxiety and depression. Moreover, the academic performance of 63% decreased, and 53% reported skipping classes. Significantly, about a third (33.2%) of the respondents stated that bullying was the primary reason for them discontinuing their schooling, leading to a rise in overall dropout rates.
Table of Factors Influencing School Dropouts
| Reason for Dropping Out | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Bullying due to SOGI | 33.2% |
| Anxiety and Depression | 70% |
| Decreased Academic Performance | 63% |
| Decreased Social Interactions | 73% |
| Skipping Classes | 53% |
Counter-Bullying Initiatives: Steps Towards Non-Discrimination
In response to the increasing SOGI-based violence, a range of initiatives have been launched across the nation. In 2016, the University Grants Commission (UGC) recognised both gender identity and sexual orientation as grounds for ragging. Furthermore, a bilingual manual titled ‘A Teacher’s Guide To Gender Non-conforming Students’ was distributed free of cost in Tamil Nadu schools. This guide is an instrumental resource, providing insights on sexual orientation, gender identity, understanding of diverse children, and identification of a gender non-conforming child.
Several non-government organisations, including SAATHII, AMANA, ETA, VIKALP, Queerala, and Nirangal, have been collaborating to study violence against SOGI across several Indian states. These efforts culminated in the landmark judgement of Section 377, where the Supreme Court clarified that Article 14 of the Constitution warrants equality before the law for all citizen classes, thereby restoring the ‘inclusiveness’ of the LGBTQ+ community.
