OVER The Rainbow

We’re joining hands with queer-friendly mental health experts and activists to help LGBTQIA+ folk endure isolation with those who might not accept their identity

- OJAS KOLVANKAR

On a Sunday morning in March, amidst the 21-day nationwide lockdown, my phone started buzzing with WhatsApp notifications. The messages that populated not just the social messaging app but also my Twitter feed later were requests to find shelter for a trans person who was asked to vacate their accommodation almost overnight. With inoperable transport services in the city, they would have been homeless, coupled with the mental trauma that usually results from such incidents.

It didn’t end there. A few days later, I was confronted with another incident – this time involving a queer woman, who endured harassment on returning to her family home in Delhi. Not only was she subjected to physical violence, her family proceeded to hack into her social media accounts with the intention to monitor and restrict communication under the pretext of ‘making her heterosexual again’.

One would consider being surrounded by family at home as a safe space during a pandemic. However, a series of incidents, excluding the ones mentioned in this story, that have come to light draw attention to the stark reality of life under quarantine for LGBTQIA+ individuals, who have to navigate their time under lockdown in nonqueer affirming environments. We spoke to queer folk, therapists and activists to help us compile a guide to help the community endure isolation in these trying times.

THIS IS TEMPORARY