A mandate of the National Human Rights Commission to construct shelter homes for the LGBTQI community in all states has been met with strong objection in Mizoram. A notice inviting tender was issued on December 6 for the construction of a shelter home for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community. However, the same was cancelled after a strong appeal from the state’s apex NGO, the Central Young Mizo Association.
But why is Mizoram opposing a ‘national’ order and on what basis?
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The cancellation was met with strong criticism from members and supporters of the LGBTQI community in Mizoram. One such member, Liani*, who identifies as a lesbian, told EastMojo, “The initiative taken towards building an LGBTQI shelter is very much legal. The Indian constitution protects this community. The tender cancellation is a tragedy as many people need a decent shelter because they do not have regular homes to return to. We should remind ourselves that human rights also include protecting the LGBTQI community, not only women and children. Many lives have been lost. Many people are turning to drugs because they have no faith in humanity. These are the people we need to protect. We are supposed to assure them of their safety. The government and the church are too powerful in Mizoram, and it’s disappointing that they are so discriminative, toxic and judgemental towards certain communities.”
Liani’s* life has been one of constant struggle due to her identity. “Growing up in Mizo society was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had in being from the LGBTQI community. In school, parents would tell their children not to hang out with me because I could ‘influence’ them. I became insecure and conscious of what I was to others due to such incidents. To this day, I hesitate to visit people’s homes due to the fear of being judged.”
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When questioned about tender cancellation, an official from the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation (UD&PA) Department responded to EastMojo saying, “It was an order from the higher level.”
Liani grew up in a homophobic environment. “Being who I was at that time felt like hell. I was told and expected to convert (to what society deemed as normal), but nobody understood the acceptance I craved, nor would they listen to my story – that I could never change even if I wanted to. I grew up trying to be who society wanted me to be, but I never got there. Others have had worse experiences than me. I’ve seen people being kicked out of their homes because they’re different, and that’s heartbreaking.”
On December 12, the UD&PA department received a notice for tender cancellation, stating that in pursuance of a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Deputy CM on December 12, 2022, the department is to cancel the notice inviting the tender for construction of the LQBTQI shelter.
To questions on the need for such shelters in Mizoram, the UD&PA official said, “We have never received any request for such shelters in the state to date.”
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However, Liani* disagrees with the official. “The government saying that the shelter is not a must is a lie. Some NGOs are willing to take steps to build this shelter. Moreover, LGBTQIA has never been given any platforms to speak up and voice their opinions, and even if they do, their voices are never heard. We are those who have been mummed about our rights. If we ever voice our opinions, the community as a whole would attack us through whatever platforms possible. If you want to know how toxic and homophobic our community is, read the comments on Facebook and Instagram. Hate comments and insults are circulated everywhere.”
Ruatsanga*, another member of the LBTQI community in Mizoram believes there is a need for proper survey and research on the matter. “In a state where there are few beggars or those who ask for help from others, as well as being a Mizo who is brought up with the spirit of Tlawmngaihna (self-service), we shouldn’t just wait around till someone asks for our assistance. I believe a survey on the subject is necessary for the government to make decisions about the necessity for an LGBTQI shelter in the state.”
Like Liani*, Ruatsanga* also faced many challenges while growing up but he is hopeful that the internet will usher in an era of change.
“There was no way for me to conceal myself from my peers because I grew up in a village where everyone knows one another. Due to my identification, I went through a lot of harassment and even physical attacks. Even though I was pushed down, I began to utilise it as motivation for my studies and to accept who I am. People once thought that the LGBTQI community was more closely associated with overacting, shamelessness, and vulnerability. But as the internet has spread, that has changed.”
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EastMojo spoke to Central Young Mizo Association’s Vice President Lalhmachhuana about the reasons for their objection. “Christianity is against same-sex relations and in a Christian state, it is not acceptable.”
On how a state can be ‘Christian’ when India is a secular country, he refused to answer.
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When asked if their objection compared with their objection to prostitution and drugs rampant in the state, he said, “We are working hard to fight against the spread of drugs and to save drug addicts. The same goes for prostitution. For the LGBTQI community, there is no need for homes, we can provide them with counselling. Considering our small population, there is no necessity for a home (shelter) as yet.”
He also refused to answer what he meant by ‘counselling’.
Many citizens, including the youth wing of the ruling MNF (Mizo National Front) party and the apex student NGO Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) expressed support for the Central YMA’s stand. However, a few citizens, such as Bazik Thlana, an artist and activist from Mizoram, said, “On the question of state affairs and religion, it begets the question: whether ours is becoming more of a theocracy informed by our bigoted views… There is no denying that much of the work done in the name of our biggest NGO is commendable, but in the process, we have rationalised the values propounded as a way of living in society. What is deemed morally good is also dictated by these institutions, including the Church, which is intertwined with NGOs like YMA. There is little or no space for individual thought and expression, leading to otherness and alienation in many sections of society from the ‘holier than thou’.”
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