LGBTQ+ rights activist Harish Iyer joined the Indian National Congress on April 9, becoming the first openly gay man in India to enter national politics.
A survivor of child sexual abuse, Iyer talked about how he was abused for 11 years on Aamir Khan’s talk show Satyameva Jayate. He was also the inspiration behind Onir’s 2010 film I Am.
In 2015, his mother posted a matrimonial ad looking for a groom for Harish. He is also a vocal animal rights activist, petitioned against Section 377 and called for sensitivity in dealing with rape cases.
He announced his decision to the Congress in a series of tweets:
So, sometimes we cannot afford sitting on the fence. Sometimes, you need to take a plunge into things with people who are working against the intent of equality and stand against the very fabric of secularism that our nation is blessed with. We need to strive to protect it.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
I know politics is seen as a dirty game. I know there are enough people who give it a bad name. But Queer people need to get into politics. Because otherwise we will always have (seemingly)straight and cis gendered men taking all our life decisions.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
People aren’t aware of the difference between trans and intersex, and many still worship trans people and not as one of their own.
There are no homosexual people in Indian politics that I know who wear their sexuality and their party name, both on their sleeve.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
In the states there are Congressial LGBT caucuses. There is no discussion of the same in India. And rightfully, how long would we expect people who are not out and people who are not queer to take such decisions for us queer persons.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
Someone has to take the lead. Some party leader should show the spine to actually meet you and tell you that they are with you and encourage you… Especially at a time when the winds of hate are blowing hard.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
I have officially joined the @INCIndia and look forward to working with the Mumbai Congress team in weeding out homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and the politics of hate. pic.twitter.com/G0wJYEJL1w
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
Iyer was also the only Indian national to feature in The Guardian‘s 100 most influential LGBT people.
