Maharashtra may get LGBT Commission soon

The Maharashtra Women and Children Welfare Board has proposed the setting up of a Commission for Lesbians, Gays, Transexuals and Bisexuals (LGBT) on the lines of the Minority Commission, to the Centre. Women and Children Welfare Minister Varsha Gaikwad confirmed that her department has prepared a format on these lines. “I have already sent the proposal to Delhi and we are waiting to hear on it soon,” said Gaikwad. A number of LGBT rights activists believe that the proposed “commission” is a prepoll gimmick by the Congress government. Many claim that the “commission” will have zero impact on the Congress’ efforts to woo LGBT voters. Sukhdeep Singh, founder of Gaylaxy, an online magazine that addresses gays and lesbians’ issues, says that it is a welcome move, but it remains to be seen whether the commission will work towards solving the problems faced by the LGBT community. “The Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu governments have set up a board for Transgenders giving them right to pension and jobs in the Home Guards Department. It remains to be seen if this Commission will do the same,” Singh said. “In most cases, such commissions are proposed but the proposals end up in dust bins,” he added.

Pallav Patankar, director of the Humsafar Trust, which has been working for LGBT rights for decades concurred with Singh. “No one has ap- proached us yet to discuss any issues with regards to setting up of this commission. I know for the fact that Gaikwad had presided over a function for transgenders in Mumbai in October last year where she assured that she would look into their problems. It is a good thing that they are setting up a commission but such announcements unfortunately are made only during elections. The commissions obviously tend to come into effect only if they are re-elected,” he said. Patankar also pointed out that the issues faced by gay men and lesbian women should also be addressed. “Discrimination of people from the LGBT community irrespective of their economic backgrounds should be an issue that the ministry should look into,” he said.