Arunachal survey: LGBTQIA+ community reports harassment, discrimination

Itanagar-based HimKai Research Institute (HRI) has released a survey that documents widespread harassment and discrimination experienced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Arunachal Pradesh. The findings, based on an anonymous online survey conducted between June 2 and August 2, shed light on the challenges faced by respondents in areas including family acceptance, education, employment, healthcare, and institutional trust.

Of the 62 submissions received, 61 were included in the final analysis after one response was excluded due to geographic ineligibility. The survey covered respondents from across the State, though the report does not specify the exact districts represented.

According to the report, 49.2 per cent of respondents said they hid their gender identity or sexual orientation most of the time or always due to fear of discrimination or violence. Half of the valid respondents said they felt accepted within their family rarely or never, and 44.3 per cent said they felt safe in their local community rarely or never.

Harassment and discrimination were reported in various settings. Verbal harassment was the most common, with 91.8 per cent experiencing it at least rarely. Physical threats or violence were reported by 52.5 per cent at least rarely. In educational settings, 85.0 per cent reported discrimination in school or college, while 63.2 per cent reported workplace discrimination.

The impact on employment and education was significant. Nearly 73 per cent of valid respondents said they felt compelled to change their behaviour or appearance sometimes or more often to retain work or education. Additionally, 57.9 per cent said their identity affected access to employment or income opportunities at least rarely.

Mental wellbeing emerged as a serious concern. Among valid responses, 76.7 per cent reported stress, anxiety or emotional distress related to discrimination sometimes or more often, with 48.3 per cent experiencing it most of the time or always. Access to mental-health or peer support was uneven: 41.0 per cent said support was available most of the time or always, while 36.1 per cent said it was rarely or never available.

The survey also found a gap between awareness of rights and confidence in institutions. While 56.7 per cent said they were aware of their legal rights, only a minority expressed faith in existing protections. About 63.3 per cent disagreed that laws and policies adequately protect LGBTQIA+ persons, and 66.7 per cent disagreed that police and authorities respond sensitively to LGBTQIA+ issues.

Religion, culture, and social belonging received cautious assessments. Approximately 72.1 per cent did not agree that religion or faith practices are accepting of LGBTQIA+ persons. More than half disagreed that their identity is compatible with their cultural or tribal background, and a similar proportion said local traditions do not allow space for diverse identities. Only 51.7 per cent of valid respondents felt a sense of belonging in society.

Healthcare was one area with more positive findings. Among valid respondents, 56.7 per cent said they felt comfortable accessing healthcare most of the time or always, and 75.0 per cent said healthcare providers treated them with respect most of the time or always.

Support systems were largely informal. Friends were the most frequently reported source of support, mentioned by 37 respondents, followed by LGBTQIA+ networks, mentioned by 12. When asked about priorities for improvement, awareness and sensitisation were the most common single priority, followed by legal protection.

HRI director Ranju Dodum said the study was intended to begin building locally grounded evidence on experiences that are often discussed without adequate data. "LGBTQIA+ experiences in Arunachal Pradesh cannot simply be assumed from national conversations. Family, community, and institutional dynamics here are distinct, and this survey is a first step toward understanding them," she said.

The survey comes at a time when India's legal framework around LGBTQIA+ rights is evolving. The Supreme Court's 2018 decision to decriminalise consensual same-sex relations was a landmark, but social acceptance remains limited in many parts of the country. The HRI report notes that while a majority of respondents were aware of their legal rights, the gap between legal recognition and lived experience remains wide.

The institute has called for further research and dialogue, emphasising that the small sample size, while not representative of the entire community, offers important insights into a marginalised population that is rarely counted.