Abstract:

This talk would delve deep into the contemporary gender/sexuality debates around non-normative sexualities in South Asia. Exploring rights' claim, and varied discourses around non-heteronormative laws and representations -I try to build arguments around nations of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India and Pakistan to Gay rights and hijra/ _Kwaja Sira_ recognition in South Asia, broadly. India and Nepal have recently decriminalised homosexuality, but LGBTQIA+ individuals still face significant stigma and discrimination. However, the recent recognition of the 'Hijra', third gender or transgender category in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India goes beyond the gender binary, speaking further the nuances of the law to that of the actual manifestation of the law. In November 2013, the government of Bangladesh officially recognised 'hijra sex' alongside males and females. Pakistan celebrated its first Trans Pride Parade in 2018, and people in Sri Lanka and Bhutan now have the right to re-gender recognition/confirmation. Despite these promising developments in the region regarding the acceptance of gender diversity, the non-binary individuals have often been regarded as 'impotent', 'asexual', and 'born with ambiguous genitalia'. Due to the prevailing laws and societal norms that prohibit same-sex relationships in South Asian countries: hijra, _Khwaja Sira_, the third-gender individuals are at the forefront of the struggle for recognition of their diversity and rights in the region. Therefore, this paper explores the existing dilemmas and paradoxes regarding the LGBTQIA+ communities in South Asia. It also analyze how they have been struggling to ensure their entitlements and negotiate to develop various policies.