EXCLUSIVE | Are Lok Sabha Election 2019 candidates Queer friendly? The 'Pink List' answers

As a rainbow wave burgeons within the country amidst the Parliamentary elections, the 'Pink List' is intending to lobby queer issues into the mainstream political discourse through contesting politicians.

Initiated by Anish Gawande, Devina Buckshee, and Smriti Deora, the trio through Pink List India encapsulates a catalogue of politicians who have extended their support to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

One of the founders, Anish Gawande while speaking to Republic World, noted how there is a deficiency of documentation of those from the political spectrum who have stood up for the community, in contrast to the those who have made homophobic statements. 

He said, "There is less documentation of politicians who've extended their support. Pink List is an archive of statements made by politicians from across the parties. This is not a cheer-list or endorsement of their ideologies." 

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Seeking to build a movement that takes the queer and trans right into the political landscape and call for inclusivity of the community, the Pink List is a comprehensive list of politicians contesting the Lok Sabha 2019 elections who have supported the LGBTQIA+ rights publicly. Through this, they subsequently aspire to bring the list in offline to create a queer caucus.

However, the Pink List specifies how this is a candidate-conclusive list and not a reflection of their parties. 

Here are some of the leaders who have been outspoken of the community: 

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Both national parties, BJP and Congress included the marginalised community in their election manifesto. 

Wherein the BJP specifically addressed the contentious The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, saying that their aim is to bring transgenders to the mainstream through adequate socio-economic and policy initiatives, adding that it will ensure self-employment and skill development avenues for transgender youth. 

Meanwhile, the Congress standing against the Transgender Bill, 2018 that is pending in the Parliament speaks of protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. The manifesto spoke of directing gender sensitivity training that will be made mandatory in all government departments and organisations including the Armed Forces and the Police Forces.