Community integration of people with nonheterosexual identities in Indian society: An integrated and intersectional approach

Abstract

This article adopts a multidisciplinary approach to community integration (CI). We concentrate on CI programs for sexual minorities. Stakeholders are those nonheterosexual individuals who experience psychological distress when confronted by social prejudice and nonacceptance. The majority of Indian citizens identify as heterosexuals. We argue however that sexual orientation is only one form of selfhood and that people have multiple identities, with multiple belongings. CI programs we propose should make use of such diversity in Indian society and aim at strategic partnerships between Indian citizens with hetero and nonheterosexual orientations. The integrated and intersectional approach we put forward aims at social empowerment of stakeholders.

Keywords

• Community integration programs
• integrated-intersectional approach
• lesbian
• gay
• bi
• trans
• queer/questioning and intersex individuals
• multiple belongings
• sexual orientation