An online survey conducted by the HimKai Research Initiative (HRI) between June 2 and August 2, 2026, has revealed high levels of harassment, discrimination and social insecurity among LGBTQIA+ people in Arunachal Pradesh. The report, titled “LGBTQIA+ Lived Experience, Safety & Access in Arunachal Pradesh (2026),” received 62 responses, of which 61 valid replies from people connected to the state were analysed.
Nearly half (49.2%) of respondents said they frequently or always hide their gender or sexual identity out of fear of discrimination or violence. Roughly 50% reported that they rarely or never feel accepted at home, while 44.3% said they rarely or never feel safe in their neighbourhood or local community.
Verbal harassment was almost universal: 91.8% of participants reported experiencing it at least sometimes. More than half (52.5%) said they had faced physical threats or violence on occasion. Discrimination in education and work was also common: 85% of valid respondents reported discrimination at school or college, and 63.2% said they experienced discrimination in the workplace.
Pressure to conceal identity was widespread. Some 72.9% said they had at times changed their behaviour or appearance to keep a job or continue their education, and 57.9% believed their LGBTQIA+ identity negatively affected their employment or earning opportunities.
The survey linked discrimination to mental health impacts: 76.7% said they sometimes or often experienced stress, anxiety, or mental distress because of discrimination, and 48.3% said these problems occurred most of the time or always. Access to mental health and community support was uneven: 41% said they mostly or always received such support, while 36.1% said they rarely or never did.
Respondents showed mixed awareness of legal rights: 56.7% said they knew their legal rights, yet 63.3% felt current laws and policies were insufficient to protect LGBTQIA+ people. Two-thirds (66.7%) said police and other authorities did not respond sensitively to LGBTQIA+ issues.
Cultural and religious contexts were identified as major barriers: about 72.1% said religious or belief-based environments were not accepting, and more than half felt their identity did not fit local cultural or tribal identities. Overall, 51.7% reported lacking enough inclusion or a sense of belonging in society.
Healthcare showed a comparatively positive picture: 56.7% said they mostly or always felt comfortable seeking healthcare, and 75% said health workers treated them respectfully most or all of the time. Friends and LGBTQIA+ networks were named as the most important sources of support.
Ranju Dodum, director of HRI, said the primary aim of the study was to collect local, lived-experience data and warned against extrapolating from national debates to Arunachal Pradesh. She urged that the survey be treated as preliminary: “This is an initial evidence base, not a definitive evaluation,” Dodum said, adding that methodological caution is needed but that the findings underline a clear need for further research and open discussion on safety, rights, social acceptance and mental health for LGBTQIA+ people in the state.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/widespread-harassment-and-discrimination-reported-against-the-lgbtqia-community-in-arunachal-survey-raises-concern/
Category: অৰুণাচল,শীর্ষ সংবাদ
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-08-14 21:30:00
