Include LGBTQIA+ Sensitivity Training For All Govt Employees in 2019 Election Manifesto

The Issue

2018 was a good year for the LGBTQIA+ community. The Supreme Court struck down the archaic section 377 that criminalised them. But decriminalisation isn’t enough if society continues to discriminate against people on the basis of their identity and sexuality.  

2019 is election year and the perfect opportunity to further educate people about the LGBTQ community. Help me make this year as iconic as the last!

Sign my petition asking the leaders of major political parties to add LGBTQ sensitivity training for all government employees, including police officials, in their 2019 election manifestos.

The discussion on gender equity and women empowerment is ongoing but this conversation leaves out the LGBT community and gender non-conforming people. In these gender discussions, we rarely discuss the challenges, aspirations and achievements of the LGBT community.

In the 2014 Supreme Court verdict, the central government was directed to put in place regular training and sensitisation efforts for government employees, including police officials, about the LGBTQ community. But this isn't happening.

The biggest challenge comes when people from the LGBT or gender non-conforming community can’t access their basic fundamental rights. The right to be identified as equal human beings by the society. This can’t happen because of insensitivity on the part of those officials who are meant to interact with India’s citizens on behalf of the government. When these officials treat someone as less than a ‘normal’ human being, then where is the equality? Providing the community with rights on paper is very different from active implementation.

Join me in asking our political parties to commit in their 2019 election manifestos that they will put in place training programs in government institutions and for government employees so they can interact with the LGBTQ community with greater sensitivity. Let us come together and work to uphold the 2014 Supreme Court verdict in letter and in spirit!

#2019ForLGBTQ #SheVotes2019  #LGBTQSensitivity #InclusiveManifesto

avatar of the starter
Meenakshi GandotraPetition Starter
Victory
This petition made change with 13,462 supporters!

The Issue

2018 was a good year for the LGBTQIA+ community. The Supreme Court struck down the archaic section 377 that criminalised them. But decriminalisation isn’t enough if society continues to discriminate against people on the basis of their identity and sexuality.  

2019 is election year and the perfect opportunity to further educate people about the LGBTQ community. Help me make this year as iconic as the last!

Sign my petition asking the leaders of major political parties to add LGBTQ sensitivity training for all government employees, including police officials, in their 2019 election manifestos.

The discussion on gender equity and women empowerment is ongoing but this conversation leaves out the LGBT community and gender non-conforming people. In these gender discussions, we rarely discuss the challenges, aspirations and achievements of the LGBT community.

In the 2014 Supreme Court verdict, the central government was directed to put in place regular training and sensitisation efforts for government employees, including police officials, about the LGBTQ community. But this isn't happening.

The biggest challenge comes when people from the LGBT or gender non-conforming community can’t access their basic fundamental rights. The right to be identified as equal human beings by the society. This can’t happen because of insensitivity on the part of those officials who are meant to interact with India’s citizens on behalf of the government. When these officials treat someone as less than a ‘normal’ human being, then where is the equality? Providing the community with rights on paper is very different from active implementation.

Join me in asking our political parties to commit in their 2019 election manifestos that they will put in place training programs in government institutions and for government employees so they can interact with the LGBTQ community with greater sensitivity. Let us come together and work to uphold the 2014 Supreme Court verdict in letter and in spirit!

#2019ForLGBTQ #SheVotes2019  #LGBTQSensitivity #InclusiveManifesto

avatar of the starter
Meenakshi GandotraPetition Starter

Victory

This petition made change with 13,462 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

Prof M.V. Rajeev Gowda
Prof M.V. Rajeev Gowda
Chairman AICC Research Dept; National Spokesperson AICC; Ex-MP, Rajya Sabha from Karnataka
Responded
“Dear Supporters, I want to thank Meenakshi Gandotra for starting a Change.org petition asking for LGBTQIA+ gender sensitivity training for government services to be included in our manifesto. Under the leadership of Shri Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress recognises the importance of equality to people of all sexual orientation. We have declared in our manifesto that we will direct that gender sensitivity training, especially for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, be made mandatory in all government departments and organisations including the Armed Forces and the Police Forces. In addition to this, we will immediately withdraw the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016, pending in Parliament. Instead, the INC will introduce a Bill that will be consistent with the judgment in the NALSA case. The new Bill will be drafted in consultation with the LGBTQIA+ community. You can read the full manifesto on manifesto.inc.in. To remain updated on our work, follow us @INCIndia on Twitter. Thank you Prof MV Rajeev Gowda Member of Parliament & Convenor, INC Manifesto Committee”
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Responded
“Dear Citizens, I have taken note of the Change.org petition #2019forLGBTQ started by you asking for LGBTQIA+ sensitivity training to all government employees including the police forces. When the Supreme Court scrapped section 377 which criminalised homosexuality, I celebrated with all my heart. Because I, just like you and the nearly 13,000 supporters of this petition, believe in equality and a dignified life for all. I understand the need for putting in place LGBTQIA sensitivity training in all institutions - be it private or government. I have heard you as well as all those who signed this petition and will work towards including this in the BJP manifesto for the 2019 elections. I thank you for this petition and bringing this issue to my notice and I believe we can work together for a better future for all the citizens of this country regardless of gender and sexuality. Thank you, Rajeev Chandrasekhar Member of Parliament”
Atishi
Atishi
MLA, Kalkaji Constituency, Delhi. Member, PAC, Aam Aadmi Party
Responded
“Dear Supporters, Thank you for starting this petition on Change.org to me to build a vision for East Delhi as a part of my #EastDelhiDialogues. Given Delhi’s complex governance system, the Aam Aadmi Party will fight tooth and nail to ensure that Delhi gets full statehood. This will ensure that everyday problems related to the DDA, Delhi Police and MCD are resolved in a timely manner. In my vision statement, I commit that all police officials will undergo regular skill enhancement trainings and gender sensitisation workshops. A police in service training centre equipped with world-class facilities and learning programmes will be set up for this purpose. As rightly noted by Meenakshi in this petition, a 2014 Supreme Court verdict mandates regular training and sensitisation efforts for government employees, including police officials, about gender, including women and the LGBTQ community. As a part of these sensitisation programs, we will include all spectrums of gender and sexuality. Warmly yours, Atishi”
Apsara Reddy
Apsara Reddy
National General Secretary of All India Mahila Congress
Sushmita Dev
Sushmita Dev
Petition updates

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Petition created on 23 January 2019