In 1998, India had its first intersex MLA, Shabnam Bano. In 1999, we had our first transgender mayor, Kamla Jaan but she was ousted from her post by the courts as it was reserved for women. In 2020, India’s first LGBT cell was started by the Nationalist Congress Party. It is headed by Priya Patil, a trans woman. 

In this episode of Pride & Prejudice, host Suryatapa Mukherjee explores the growth of Queer politics in India, in conversation with Priya Patil. Priya joined the NCP in 2019. She had earlier contested civic body elections in Mumbai. 

Pride & Prejudice is our series on all things LGBTQIA. LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. We use ‘Queer’ as an umbrella term for all these identities.

Additional reading:

India’s Had More Transgender Mayors Than We Originally Thought