A

Research paper
On

“A social consciousness identity development and contemporary conundrums in LGBTQ

community-Ahmedabad scenario."

By
Karan Jajal
8866571671
Karanjajal2@gmail.com
A
Research Paper
Submitted
As
Participation
For
National youth summit
To
B.K school of business management
Ahmedabad

1
 K.S School of Business Management
Gujarat University
Navarangpura
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

 Researcher: Karan Bhupendrabhai Jajal

 The title of research paper:

"A social consciousness identity development and contemporary
conundrums in LGBTQ community-Ahmedabad scenario."
 Location of investigation:

The College hostels, the surrounding of Navarangpura, Facebook,

and Planet Romeo Ids.

 Month/year: November-December, 2015(The study has been carried out in given

month)

2
“A social consciousness identity development and contemporary conundrums in
LGBTQ community- Ahmedabad scenario."

Karan.B.Jajal1
The Student of M.B.A (Marketing specialization) - K.s school of business management and PGDHRM – B.K
school of business management, Gujarat University, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Email: karanjajal2@gmail.com, Mobile: 8866571671

ABSTRACT

This paper mainly focused on the LGBTQ community aspect governing the general public
(society) consciousness identity development that what they perceived about the LGBTQ
community. The extensive study has been carried out in the Ahmedabad arena only. The basic
research lies in the contextual identity development and the problems faced by the LGBTQ
community. Qualitative and quantitative approach with the exploratory fundamentals, this study
has been processed. The limitation can talk about as that sampling strategy mean to get a right
number of sample for differencing interviews or questionnaire furnishing. The complimentary
part of the study is that the higher levels of education the LGBTQ community have and by the
time, they will consider as normal people, as now a day very abnormal is new normal. The paper
gives instance purview of what is this and how it carried out and what are the challenges they are
facing at all. The needed confidentiality has been made or tries to made due to the illegality by
Indian constitution.

Keywords: LGBTQ community, Issues faced by LGBTQ community, SEC. 377, LGBTQ
pride.

The rationale of proposed research:

3
 Before the last ten years, research on gay and lesbian adolescents has been Scarce and
has focused on the 'coming out' process, mental health issues, and Stereotypes and discrimination
the population encounters. More recently, research has begun to examine school/college
experiences of gay and lesbian youth. Gay and lesbian adolescents face the same developmental
challenges as their straight peers do with the added burden of dealing with negative social and
psychological school and college climate experiences that significantly impact their ability to
learn. The Human Rights Watch: note that gay youth spend a high level of energy planning how
to get to and from school /college safely, avoiding hallways to prevent homophobic slurs and
escape being beaten up in gym class. Succinctly, gay and lesbian youth learn to become invisible
to avoid verbal and physical attacks.
Justification:
The purpose of this paper is to review current literature and research on school/college
climate experiences of gay and lesbian youth as related to peer influences including, gender role
conformity, homophobic language, physical harassment, and staff attitudes. An analysis of the
literature, limitations of current research, implications for future studies, implications for
practice, and a summary are also included. A follow-up study based on the literature review was
conducted in November 2015

Significance and scope of study:

The study will give the essential understanding of social identity development and
contemporary issued in LGBTQ community as a subject and will emphasize on its importance in
modern thinking towards the most neglected community. The outcome of the study will be
beneficial for all the stakeholders like –schools/college students and its staff, an organization for
policy making and society as a whole. This study will help schools collage and organization to
design the subject curriculum policies rules and governing laws, penalties of breaking the rules
and all regarding acknowledges.
This study will recognize the strength of LGBTQ community people, and people will
think towards them and their problems. We know that –all surrounding may not accept their
personal existence suddenly, but with this study, they will affect to think towards them and me
steadily and gradually may start to support them and help them towards their issues.
Introduction-concept

4
 Lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people are more likely to experience
intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and the threat of violence due to their sexual orientation
than those that identify themselves as heterosexual. This is due to homophobia (the fear or hatred
of homosexuality). Some of the factors that may reinforce homophobia on a larger scale are
moral, religious, and political beliefs of a dominant group. In some countries, homosexuality is
illegal and punishable by fines, imprisonment, life imprisonment, and even the death penalty.
Human sexuality is diversely experienced, and can be fixed or fluid. Male/female
sexuality is blurred further with the existence of transgender, transsexual and intersex identified
people. Heterosexuality should no longer be assumed; this assumption is called heterosexism.
Although many societies have made significant strides in human rights advocacy, LGBTQ rights
struggle to find universal acceptance. The fact that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
drafted in 1948, does not explicitly include sexual orientation allows some people to consider
LGBTQ rights debatable.
Influential international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and
Human Rights Watch continue to run effective campaigns. In the coming years the major issues
for LGBTQ rights on a global scale will be: eradicating persecution based on sexual orientation;
protection in the law from hate crimes and hate propaganda; equal rights and privileges
(marriage, common law partnerships, medical-decision making, wills and estates, parenting and
adoption) and to work and educate others on homophobia and heterosexism.
They are singled out for physical attack – beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed.
And in some 76 countries, discriminatory laws criminalize private, consensual same-sex
relationships – exposing individuals to the risk of arrest, prosecution, imprisonment — even, in
at least five countries, the death penalty.

The concept of LGBTQ:

LGBTQ is an initialize that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. The
initialize LGBTQ is intended to emphasize a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based
cultures and is sometimes used to refer to anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender
instead of exclusively to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. To recognize this
inclusion, a popular variant adds the letter Q for those who identify as queer and are questioning

5
their sexual identity as LGBTQ, recorded since 1996. Whether or not LGBTQ people openly
identify themselves may depend on whether they live in a discriminatory environment, as well as
the status of LGBTQ rights where one lives.
Before the sexual revolution of the 1960s, there was no common non-derogatory
vocabulary for non-heterosexuality; the closest such term, "third gender," traces back to the
1860s but never gained wide acceptance in the United States. The first widely used term,
homosexual, was thought to carry negative connotations and tended to be replaced by
homosexual in the 1950s and 1960s, and subsequently gay in the 1970s. As lesbians were forged
more public identities than the phrase "gay and lesbian" became more common.
Lesbians who held a more essentialist view that they had been born homosexual and
used the descriptor "lesbian" to define sexual attraction, often considered the separatist, angry
opinions of lesbian-feminists to be detrimental to the cause of gay rights. This was soon followed
by bisexual and transgender people also seeking recognition as legitimate categories within the
larger community.
Review of literature study:
 LGBTQ has become a widely accepted designation for minorities based on sexual and
gender orientation. All members of these subgroups are subject to similar prejudices
rooted in beliefs and traditions about sexuality and gender. LGBTQ people, as members
of a social minority group, are suffering from various forms of socioeconomic and
cultural injustice. The lacks of social recognition have an effect on the capacity of
LGBTQ people to access and enjoy their rights as citizens fully. They are more likely to
experience intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and the threat of violence due to their
sexual orientation than those that identify themselves as heterosexual. Highlighting some
major problems faced by LGBTQ people across the world is the theme of this article.
By Chatterjee Subhrajit
Researcher, Dept. of Sociology (The University of Burdwan) and Teacher (Sociology),
Usatpur S. High School,
East Medinipur, W.B., India

 This research paper analysis the homosexual marriages in the Indian context as an
invisible conflict which is successfully kept under cover. It also attempts to describe and

6
 explain various aspects of homosexuality including the evolution, the reasons, the
societal attitude and reactions towards such relations. The author also draws insight from
the countries where homosexual marriages are legalized and also highlights their
outcome out of legalizing homosexual relationships. At the end taking legitimate and
vigorous arguments both in favors and in against the author concludes about the
possibility of legalizing homosexual marriages in India based on empirical and
theoretical facts and evidence.
Homosexuality In India – The Invisible Conflict
Anuradha Parasar
Department of Policy Science,
National Law University,
N.H.-65, Nagour Road,
Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
 This study focused specifically on the impact of religious commitment, previous training,
and race in regards to homophobic and transphobic attitudes. Of those variables, religious
dedication and race were found to be significantly correlated to these attitudes. It has also
become clear that the effects of training must be more carefully scrutinized regarding
how it impacts social worker attitudes and perceptions. This information, in conjunction
with the best practices and guidelines set forth by the NASW and the CWLA, will give
agencies and individual practitioners the tools needed to truly advocate for LGBTQ youth
who find themselves in their care.
By
Louisiana social workers:
A study on attitudes toward LGBTQ youth
Rachel O’Pry
B.A., Louisiana State University, 2010
May 2012
 The paper is an attempt towards queering Indian sociology by incorporating the
perspective of the hitherto ignored ‘publics’- the sexual minorities- whose lives are
waiting to be recognized as a ‘sub-field’ in South Asian Sociology. It also dispels the
myth that alternative sexual orientation is a purely western idea, and issues of ‘erotic
justice' are alien to Indian and South Asian cultures. Further, queering here is not equated
with only protests through queer art, avant-garde experimentation, and lifestyle identity
politics but includes a ‘critical sexuality perspective' which foregrounds experiences of

7
 subaltern sexual subjects like ‘working class lesbians,' hijras and kothis to map the
agenda of sexual transformation and erotic justice. In this sense, the LGBTQ movement
has to be critiqued for not engaging with the issue of caste and class. The paper seeks to
broaden the concept of ‘erotic justice’ by delineating and emphasizing its connections
with class, caste and global politics of sexual liberation.
By,
Queering Indian Sociology

A critical engagement -Pushpesh Kumar

 The Anchorage LGBTQ Discrimination Survey came about as a result of a perceived
need for quantifiable data on the incidence of discrimination against lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) individuals in the Municipality of Anchorage. It
represents the first effort since the late 1980s to compile rigorous data about the incidence
of sexual orientation bias and discrimination in Anchorage and the first effort ever to
document Anchorage or Alaska-specific data about discrimination and bias by gender
identity and expression. The Anchorage LGBTQ Discrimination Survey was conducted
in January through March; 2011Its key findings on the violence, intimidation, and
discrimination experienced in the Municipality of Anchorage by its 268 lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender respondents were previously reported in the preliminary report.
ANCHORAGE LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION SURVEY:
FINAL REPORT
by
Melissa S. Green

Research gap identification: - My viewpoint about above reviews:

8
 If we talking about Chatterjee Subhrajit’s research we more of found that his talking is
about the only problem faces by LGBTQ community before that once should understand means I
m talking about general public if they are ready to accept LGBTQ personality then half of the
issue been vanish automatically so that the point is lacking in that and also his research is more
of international means of the world that may not be true for Indian LGBTQ community context.
In a paper of Anuradha Parasar “The invisible conflict, she has taken the theme of social
awareness about homosexual marriage in the geographical location of Mandore Rajasthan and
also only law studying student as a target for research. The general public perception point is
missing I must say again that without collective bargaining nothing will be outcome and
community will remain in deprived.
Rachel O’Pry research is about the religious training and about the race from where they
belong on that variable attitude she has to develop the thesis of social workforce identity in that
she has described various hypotheses to come out as which is the primary variable that plays a
significant role in the homosexual in Louisiana state. So what I believe actually for her thesis
that it is the excellent topic and also a most neglected aspect to understand from the point of
LGBTQ community but in an Indian context, not much work done on that part also because the
law is not governing any support and the people really don't want to discuss either.

“Queering Indian sociology” by Puspesh Kumar, in that the research is based on real
psychological aspect from caste, global political and class of LGBTQ community persona, in his
writing more is about descriptive type, quoted more of people finding and writing. Purely based
on theory kind aspect is look only good for reading purpose only maybe it affect the sum of the
percentage of individual in Indian context because of the current status quo of the community but
the thing is that now people doesn't matter that from which class, community, and caste you
belong.

In LGBTQ discrimination survey report, Melissa S. Green specifically focused on the

discrimination part of Alaska State’s LGBTQ community people regarding a job, at home, in
society and where the possibility is. So Indian scenario, nobody wants to talk about the
discrimination part either from society as well as LGBTQ community but now some reforms
come and people started talking about that, but people feel ashamed of it and not being revealed
as what they are and believe.

9
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Objectives of the Research work are as below:
 To identify the social identical development awareness among the general public and
LGBTQ community.
 To find out the contemporary conundrums of LGBTQ community in Indian context
Research work
Based on the research objectives, the work has been divided into two phases, and they are
as below,
Phase 1: Identification of factors and their attributes affecting social identity devolvement
questions and qualitative & quantitative analysis.
Phase 2: Quantitative Analysis, interview analysis for contemporary conundrums to the
conclusion of the research, its recommendations, and scope of the future research study.
Research design:
The research work is based on the exploratory study of LGBTQ community people and
general people from social identity development. The research technique is the blend of
Quantitative and Qualitative approaches. A survey method was used to investigate this social
identity development and conundrums of LGBTQ community (personal interview), and the
research design was a combination of comparison of frequencies data and its percentage with the
several other factors of questions.
One of the instruments used is Questionnaire which is based on the Inclusive questions of
demographics, social awareness LGBTQ community aspects and issues/problems of the
community. The tool that was used to measure level and type of involvement was created
specifically for this study and is based in relevant aspect to catch the mind of people that what
they think. The responsibility instrument was in the form of a questionnaire that was given to
general public and also to the LGBTQ community people.
This research design was intended to shed light on social awareness and conundrums of
community, development, and involvement, relate to each other. There were some challenges,
though, that needed to be resolved for this design to work. These problems are involved the
population being surveyed, the sampling strategy, and the collection procedure.
Sample

10
 This study surveyed general public, LGBTQ community people which included the 30
students. The sample consisted of university students in which 11 identify as self as gay, lesbian,
transgender bisexuals exploring, and questioning; who experienced attraction to the same sex; or
who engaged in same-sex behavior and 19 from the general public who believe to heterosexual
(straight). The sample was obtained from society and also from Facebook and Planet Romeo.
The lesbian identities of students were not studied. It is possible, though, for a lesbian
student who self-identified as a lesbian to take this survey is proven tough. For these participants,
the study focused on their sexual orientation but not their gender identity. Since lesbian is a type
of sexual orientation, it was not covered in this study. The reason for excluding lesbian’s
characters primarily had to do with the lack of target, and it's difficult to approach them as they
never want to come out apart from one or two percentage of whole and assessment instrument to
explain the development identity.

Sampling Strategy

The goal of the sampling strategy was to obtain a sample diverse regarding social identity
development and involvement of LGBTQ community. Multiple challenges are associated with
sampling the LGBTQ population, especially when trying to get a cross section of developmental
phases.
The biggest problem is accessing the community and getting a sufficient response rate.
Because of current attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals as well as the potential discrimination
and social isolation associated with being identified as LGBTQ, this population is difficult to
find, hard to reach, and very resistant to identification with their personality. Another challenge
related to sampling is obtaining a sufficiently diverse Sample. The goal of this study was to
analyze how different levels of identity development relate to the multiple ways of being
involved. Though it was speculated that it would be difficult to find students with none to little
involvement, a significant portion of participants indicated that they were not involved.
In response to these challenges non-probability sampling was used. Specifically, a
purposeful and snowball strategy was used. By being purposeful, this usually hard to reach
population was surveyed and students from a wide variety of personality were reached. By using
a snowball approach, researcher themselves could contact individuals who are not as developed
or as involved in a society for social identity development.

11
 Unfortunately, using non-probability sampling limits generalization of the findings. The
need to get a sample sufficiently large, however, was considered more important than overall
generalization. Even if a random sample approach were used, it would still be tough to find a
sufficient number of students at the beginning their development.
Sources of information
Sources of information are basically of primary nature that mentions above Para that
questionnaire made and fill, personal interview and analysis the same with the main base.
To go throughout the study some of the references that are secondary information has been taken
from journals, blogs, articles, newspaper, once research paper and the discussion from multiple
people about the subject.
Ethical Concerns and Limitations
Ethical concerns were imperative in the sampling (and collection) Strategy.
Confidentiality was paramount. Fortunately, the memberships of Facebook are traditionally kept
confidential by LGBTQ community as they seem like an ordinary person. In Planet Romeo site it
was easy to target, but that person is not at all want to respond, but those who want to recognize
themselves they have given a response but the information may be at the question as personal
prejudice affection.
When personal message/ emails were sent to these list-serves, the researcher did not have
to worry about breaching confidentiality. For e-mails that were sent out, though, individual e-
mail addresses were kept hidden by using the “blind carbon copy’. All correspondence from
participants who expressed an interest in the study or had followed up questions after they had
taken the survey was stored in a password protected files on one password protected the
computer.
Another ethical concern was an intrusion into the space of the LGBTQ students. Most
students did not want to face to face meetings, so I offer them on subscribing to e-mail list-serves
to receive support and information about LGBTQ topics questionnaire. Meetings, in particular,
are intended to be a safe space. It was not the intention of the researcher to disrupt these
meetings or to intrude. Therefore, the permission of the students was obtained beforehand as I
want to work directly with LGBTQ students so that outcome would be best to distribute the
surveys.

12
 The limitation was that the target is only limited to studying students as limited resource
viability. The inquiry was Web-based, paper-based, and individuals were asked to forward the
respected questionnaire via email. It's very likely to get the somewhat good response from web-
based survey as they feel comfort and confidentiality restrained.

Findings of research- phrase-1

 To identify social identity development –factors and its attributes.
Survey’s findings are as follows:
A. Gender identity;
Gender identity
 Gender %
Male 73.33
Female 23.33
transgender 3.333

A. Gender identity
80

70

60

50
%
40

30

20

10

0
Male Female transgender

In figure A. there 22 were male respondent that are almost 77%and only 7 were female
respondents that are 23% as stated earlier in the study that because of sensitivity of subject
female part is negligible, and they are only from general public only, only one transgender
identifies as he was very willing to be part of LGBTQ community study.
In these33.66% persons are identified as LGBTQ belonging that is no female covers in
that, one is identified as transgender and 33.33% respondents are male including gay, bisexuals.

B. Religious/spiritual affiliation:
 Cast %

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 Hindu 50
23.3333
Muslim 3
Jain 10
3.33333
Shikh 3
Christia
n 10
3.33333
Other 3

B. religiouse and spiritual affiliation

60

50

40
%
30

20

10

0
Hindu Muslim Jain Shikh christian Other

Figure B. is talking about the religious /spiritual affiliation, from this, we can do judge
that may also be cast effect as one indicator of the social identity development. In the survey I
found that the more influencing cast is Hindu as also because of the limited resource, proper
identification it comes out as 50% its says that the Hindu classism is more on the social identity
development.
From bivariate analysis if we look upon from 33.66% of LGBTQ community students in
that 54.54% are identified as Hindu, 27.27% are identified as Muslim, and 18.18% are Christian.
So we can say that the most indicator attributes are the Hinduism that means most of the students
are belong to the Hindu religious.

14
 C. Religious service attendance:
Time %
16.6666
More than a once/week 7
26.6666
Once a week 7
23.3333
Once a month 3
16.6666
Only spiritual occasion 7
Once in a year 10
6.66666
Never 7

C.Religious sercive attandance

30

25

20
%
15

10

Figure c. Says that from the entire survey 26.66% student says they visit their religious
place ‘once a week so as indicator attributes it means that its influence comes from who visit a
place in a week those they are kind of religious people that govern their characteristic.
Now, if we compare this with LGBTQ community student we found that 27.27%of
student answered that they visit their holy place ‘once in a year' so from entire survey if we look
upon its contradictory to the same that LGBTQ community student are no more of religious kind
as they just visit the place once in year. So from the perspective of LGBTQ community, it is
found that that there is no as such good indication that says about its religious bounded, the
LGBTQ community people it’s now we can say that LGBTQ community is boundless to any
such prospects.
D. Education level:
D. Education level %

15
 High school 0
16.6666
Bachelor 7
Master 60
23.3333
Doctorate degree 3

D.Education level
70

60

50

40 %

30

20

10

0
High school Bacholar Master Docterate degree

From the education level, we found that the students are involved in the master program
or may be completed, are 60%respondents that revile that the samples respondent are well
educated to answer the survey. They have higer capability to think towards their and others
future perspective. One biggest happiness was that there are 23.33% students are in the doctorate
that means that understand the LGBTQ scenario from the benefit prospective mostly doctorate
studying students are in favored off to legalize the LGBTQ community and sec.377 must be
removed from Indian constitutions.
I have bi-veritably analyzed this indicator to check, how many levels they follow. In that
it was found that 54.54% student are involved in master program that means that in LGBTQ
community also the educational attainment is high so it can be believed that it's the proper sign
for future of LGBTQ community as they are competing to the other world for they survive and
recently also much international organization have made their policy in favored of such
belonging people as they are good competing to other staff as well. And 18.18% students are
found to involve in a doctorate program. So this indicator attributes to the good future
perspective of LGBTQ community.
E. Family status/background:
E.Family status %
Lower class 6.25
Middle class 43.33333
higher class 11.11111

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 E.Family status
50
45
40
35
30
%
25
20
15
10
5
0
Lower class Middle class higher class

Family background is found to be 43.33% as the middle class that means that the most of
the students may be fall under the categories of lower middle class and upper middle class. We
can say that due to the sensitivity of subject might it possible that students haven't revile their
real family background. We can also conclude that family background as an indicator hasn’t
much importance to them.
But it’s the connected to the LGBTQ community, and we found that there is no any
such bifurcation toward family class will prove too prudent in the context of LGBTQ
communities as both middle and higher class have 45.45% of the LGBTQ community. So as
indicator attribute of a family class or background is meaningless to study in LGBTQ context as
anyone can come out as LGBTQ belonging there is no restriction from that. As it’s the just
mindset of people, we can’t be put them in as conundrum just because of their family class or
background. So from the figure, it indicates that there is no correlation toward LGBTQ
community and their family class/background.
F. Current relationship status:
f. Relationship status %
Single 73.33333
Married 3.333333
Live in relationship 13.33333
Involved with multiple partners 10
Other 0

17
 F.Relationship status
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
%
10
0

From the above figure, it can be sensed that all the respondent fall under the single status as all
are studying in any program except one respondent. 73.33% respondents are of single status,
While 13.33% are of living in a live-in relationship status. That is the afterward position of single
status.
If we compare with bi-variant of LGBTQ community, here we can say that 63.63% respondents
are of single status and 27.27%are of involved with multiple partners. That means more of
LGBTQ community people towards the single and second one is of multiple partners; that is
opposite with the general form.
g. Current living situation:
G. Current living situation %
Alone 0
13.333
With spouse 33
43.333
Hostel/P.G 33
43.333
Family / Guardian 33

18
 G.Current living situation
50
45
40
35
30
%
25
20
15
10
5
0
Alone With spouse Hostel/P.G Family / Gaurdian

Figure G. rivals that most of the respondent’s current living situation either is a hostel or
with family/guardian, are of 43.33%. If we look upon to the LGBTQ perspective, we found that
54.54% are from the hostel as their current living status. As we know that all the respondents are
students belonging and can be sensed that they may be here for just study purpose and it is very
prudent for a study that they are free to take their decision. They are their belongingness to the
future life, so the sample indicator attributes important note to the study of this living situation.

Analysis of part-2- This is specifically formed to check the societal consciousness’ identity
development.

H. Social recognition of Homosexuality

H. Social recognition of Homosexuality %
73.3333
Favor 3
3.33333
Oppose 3
23.3333
Neutral 3

19
 H. Social recognition of Homosexuality

80

70

60

50 %

40

30

20

10

0
Favor Oppose Neutral

Fig. H shows the possibility of the social recognition of Homosexuality in India

The outcome of the all the respondent is that 73.33% favor, 3.33%were opposed, and 23.33%
were neutral about their answer. So from this, we can say that rather than oppose the ideology
more of people wanted to be neutral about that.
I. Homosexual marriage in close relative

I.   Homosexual marriage in close relative %

86.6666
Accepted 7
13.3333
Rejected 3

I.   Homosexual marriage in close relative

100
90
80
70
60
%
50
40
30
20
10
0
Accepted Rejected

Fig .I show that 86.66% people accepted Homosexual marriage in their close relative
means they are recognized LGBTQ community people. Only 13.33% respondents have rejected
the close marriage of Homosexuals.
In figure H and I that is Homosexuality in social recognition and close relative marriage,
the acceptance of Homosexuality in close family is higher than social recognition, and rejection
is less than that so we can say that now day because of end no. of factors, the awareness has
increased, and people want to talk about their issues.

20
 J. Homosexual marriage among community member
A.   Homosexual marriage among community member %
Favor 80
Oppose 6.666667
Neutral 13.33333

   J.Homosexual marriage among community member

90

80

70

60 Fig. J states
50 %

40 the respondent
30

20
opinion about
Homosexual marriage
10

0
Favor Oppose Neutral
among community
member that is that defendant's acceptance to Homosexual relation among neighbor’s friends etc.
to theses response are 80% favored, 6.66% oppose and 13.33% were neutral.
K. Homosexuality for oneself when it is illegal:

K.   Homosexuality for oneself when it is illegal: %

Yes 0
No 80
Neutral 20

K.   Homosexuality for one self when it is illegal

90

80

70

60

50 %

40

30

20

10

0
Yes No Neutral

Above chart suggested that 80% of respondent says no to illegal marriage of

Homosexuals so that means they are not want to go beyond the law that is not considered normal
or punishable act towards the Indian constitution, While 20% people remain neutral toward their

21
response and none of the respondents say yes towards the question, so that shows the integrity
towards the Indian low.
L. Legalize of Homosexuality

L. Legalize of Homosexuality %
73.3333
Yes 3
6.66666
No 7
Neutral 20
L. Legalize of Homosexuality
80

70

60

50

40
%
30

20

10

0
Yes No Neutral

Fig. L says that 73.33% respondents say yes to legalize the Homosexuality and 20% remain
neutral while 6.66% said no towards legalization of Homosexuality. We know that day by day
people thinking on this issue and because of the many problems faced by LGBTQ community
people, now reforms has already taken place that shows by this graph as highest percentage
response is in ‘yes’ to legalize Homosexuality.
L.1
L.1 Bivariate of legalization and
gender identity % Yes % No % Neutral
Male 60 6.66 6.66
Female 10 0 13.33
transgender 3.33 0 0
 Total 0 0 100

In figure L.1 it states that 60% male respondents say yes and 6.66% didn't want to say
anything and say ‘no.' 10% female say ‘yes' and one transgender says ‘yes to legalize the
Homosexuality.
L.2

22
 L.2 Bivariant of cast and legalization of
Homosexuality % Yes % No % Neutral
Hindu 36.66 3.3333 10
Muslim 13.33 0 10
Shikh 3.33 0 0
Jain 3.33 0 6.66
Christian 10 0 0
Total 0 0 3.33

L.2 figure say that Hindu cast people said ‘yes’ are of highest that is 36.66%, then of
Muslim cast respondents said with 13.33%, 6.66% of Jain respondent remain neutral to say
anything about the legalization of Homosexuality.

M. Homosexual marriage for one when it is legal:

M. Homosexuality for oneself when it is legal %
Favor 80
Against 20

M. Homosexuality for one self when it is legal

90

80

70

60

50 %

40

30

20

10

0
Favor Against

Fig. M gives the preference of the respondents about the Homosexual marriage for
oneself when it is legal. Only80% of the respondents preferred the possibility of Homosexual
marriage for oneself when it is legal.
It is believed that Homosexuality even if legalized will never become the natural fact of
society. It will be for those have an inclination for Homosexuality that they will prefer going for
such type of behavior whether Homosexuality is criminalized or decriminalized. Thus
legalization of Homosexuality will not be attractive for society because of its abnormality. But

23
the benefit of legalization well is that the Homosexual who are also normal people but with
different orientation will not be criminalized on this count.

N. Rights and benefits of Homosexuals:

N. Rights and benefits of Homosexuals %

Yes 73.33
No 3.33
Neutral 23.33

N. Rights and benefits of Homosexuals

80

70

60

50
%
40

30

20

10

0
Yes No Neutral

As shown in figure N above 73.33% respondents said yes and advocated that
homosexuals should also give rights and benefits equivalent to Heterosexuals whereas 3.33%
said no and 23.33% were neutral.
O. Consciousness identity scale:

O. Consciousness identity scale: [1]% [2]% [3]% [4]% [5]%

36.6 23.3
1 36.67 7 3 3.33 0.00
40.0 20.0
2 36.67 0 0 3.33 0.00
33.3 20.0
3 43.33 3 0 0.00 3.33
33.3 20.0
4 43.33 3 0 0.00 3.33
30.0 20.0
5 46.67 0 0 0.00 3.33
26.6 23.3
6 46.67 7 3 3.33 0.00
33.3 13.3
7 46.67 3 3 3.33 3.33
46.6 43.3
8 3.33 0.00 6.67 7 3
46.6 43.3
9 0.00 3.33 6.67 7 3 24
10.0 33.3 53.3
10 0.00 3.33 0 3 3
 250

200 [5]%
[4]%
[3]%
150 [2]%
[1]%
O. Consciousness identity scale :
[5]%
100 [4]%
[3]%
[2]%
50 [1]%
O. Consciousness identity scale :

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Table O. says that all the respondents have made for LGBTQ community reforms. The
statements that have been made to check the awareness among the society; we found positive
responses from the respondents in the ten statements.

Part -3 is specially made for LGBTQ community belonging, to check their development identity
regarding LGBTQ community. General public has also responded for the same part as that
shows their support toward LGBTQ community

P. Homosexuality ever justify:

P. Homosexuality ever justify %

25
 76.6666
Never 7
3.33333
Always 3
Neutral 20
P. Homosecuality ever justify
90

80

70

60

50 %

40

30

20

10

0
Never Always Neutral

As shown in figure P. that 76.66% respondents said that it is never justified as expected
that 20% respondents remain neutral about any sayings and 3.33% were said always justify but
as the current scenario is like that we sensed automatically that Homosexuality never explain
because of the psychology of society as well as the Indian constitution.

Q. Identify as LGBTQ community belonging:

O. Identify as LGBTQ community belonging %

36.6666
Yes 7
33.3333
No 3
3.33333
Can’t say 3
26.6666
Didn’t attend the question 7

26
 O. Identify as LGBT community belonging
40

35

30

25
%
20

15

10

0
Yes No Cann't say didn’t attend question

Fig. O says that 36.66% respondents were identified as LGBTQ community belonging
while 33.33% were NOT belonging from LGBTQ community. 3.33% says that it is our privacy
matter we can’t comment on that so they chose ‘can’t say. 26.66% respondents haven’t
responded to this question that says that maybe they do not belong to LGBTQ community.

O.1 if LGBTQ belonging then

To whom you came out as:
O.1 To whom you came out %
Family 3.333333
Friends 13.33333
co-worker 3.333333
Didn’t respond 80

O.1 To whom you came out

90

80

70

60
to whom you came out
50
%
40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3

Fig. O.1saying about those who say ‘yes’ that means they belong from LGBTQ community, in
that only 20% responded to whom they came out, while 80% do not respond even though they
belong to LGBTQ community. In that 20%, 13.33% rival themselves to their friend, 3.33% to
their family and 3.33% to their co-workers.

27
 R. Sexual orientation:

R. Sexual orientation %
16.6666
Gay/Lesbian 7
13.3333
Bisexual 3
36.6666
Heterosexual 7
3.33333
other 3
didn’t responded 30

R. Sexual orientation
40

35

30

25
%
20

15

10

0
Gay/Lesbian Bisexual Heterosexual other didn’t responded

This graph shows the sexual orientation of respondents. 36.66% were identified as
heterosexual means they believe that they are straight and not belong to the
LGBTQ community, while 16.66% said they fall under the category of ‘Gay/Lesbian ‘and 30%
respondent didn’t seem too prudent to answer their sexual orientation may be just because of
their privacy. 13.33% were identified as bisexual means they may be involved with multiple
partners or in multiple relationships.
S. Member of any LGBTQ community group:

S. member of any LGBTQ community

group %
3.33333
Yes 3
56.6666
No 7
13.3333
Can't say 3

28
 26.6666
Didn't respond 7

S. member of any LGBT community group

60

50

40

%
30

20

10

0
Yes No Can't say Didn't respond

Fig. S is about those who are part of any LGBTQ community group in any city. Most of
the respondent's response for ‘No' are of 56.66% from the complete survey. In this question also
26.66% haven't seemed to prudent to give answer and 13.33% respondents said they cannot say
anything about that may because of their privacy matter or still in India it is not legalized so any
the reason can be as we know the psychology of Indian society.
T. Participation in LGBTQ community pride:

T. Participation in LGBTQ community pride %

Yes 3.333333
No 53.33333
Can't say 16.66667
Didn't respond 26.66667

29
 T. Participation in LGBT community pride
60

50

40

%
30

20

10

0
Yes No Can't say Didn't respond

As shown in diagram T. 53.33% respondents from all said that they hadn't taken part in
any LGBTQ community pride in any city, 26.66% student as expected didn't the response to the
question, 16.66% were said that because of our privacy we ca n't tell as reason already discussed
above. Only 3.33% stated that they take part in any pride in any city
The new scenario says that nowadays this kind of pride is organized by any of city based
LGBTQ community just because of to fight against their right and benefits towards the
constitution. In last five-year, many prides have been organized and also proven to succeed in a
city like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and the hub of this kind of pride is Delhi. It is good
that due to this, more and more awareness comes to the society.
On 29, November 2015 first LGBTQ film festival has been organized in the name of
‘KASISH’ by IIM Ahmedabad for the awareness of the society whole all general interested
public were invited on campus of IIM-A.s

U. Active in social media:

U. Active in social media % LGBTQ%
Facebook 36.66667 10
WhatsApp 50 23.33333
Figure Twitter 6.666667 0 U is all about
Instagram 6.666667 3.333333
the social Other 0 0 media
effective response. The

30
all general respondents said that 50% are more active on ‘WhatsApp’ while 36.66% are on
Facebook and 6.66% are on Twitter and Instagram.
From the bivariate analysis if we look upon we find out that those who belong to LGBTQ
community in that 23.33% were identified more active on ‘WhatsApp’ and followed by
Facebook is of 10% of LGBTQ community belonging.

Contemporary conundrums in LGBTQ community - Phrase -2

1. Marginalization and Social Exclusion:

Marginalization is at the core of exclusion from fulfilling and full social lives at
the individual, interpersonal and societal levels. People who are marginalized have
relatively little control over their lives and the resources available to them; they may
become stigmatized and are often at the receiving end of negative public attitudes. Their
opportunities to make social contributions may be limited and they may develop low self-
confidence and self-esteem and may become isolated. Social policies and practices may
mean they have relatively limited access to valued social resources such as education and
health services, housing, income, leisure activities and work.
The impacts of marginalization, in terms of social exclusion, are similar,
whatever the origins and processes of marginalization, irrespective of whether these are
to be located in social attitudes (such as towards impairment, sexuality, ethnicity and so
on) or social circumstance (such as closure of workplaces, absence of affordable housing
and so on). LGBTQ individuals may experience multiple forms of marginalization such
as racism, sexism, poverty or other factors – alongside homophobia or transphobia that
negatively impact on mental health. The stigma attached to sexual orientation and gender
identity or expression that fall outside the expected heterosexual, non-transgender norm
relegates many LGBTQ people to the margins of society
2. The impact of Exclusion and Discrimination:

The exclusion and discrimination have major impacts on the lives of lesbian, gay and
transgender individuals. This has resulted in the following:
 Dropping out of school earlier
 Leaving Home and Family

31
  Unable to find regular jobs, have fewer options than others.
 Being ignored in the community and isolated
 Unable to access various services and Unaware of what they are entitled to
 Mobility, Move to other areas, (such as the city and urban areas)
 Lack of family and social support
 Migrate to other countries for seeking safer livelihood and acceptance
 Rejected from Religion (Esp. Muslim and some Christian Fundamentalist sects)
 Attempt suicide
 Decide to follow their parents to marry opposite sex and then divorce.

3. Impact of Family Reactions on LGBTQ Children: Conflict and Rejection

In the past, very few adolescents ―came out‖ to their families or told others they were
gay. Most lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGB) waited until they were adults to talk about
their LGB identity with others. Fear of rejection and severe negative reactions kept many LGB
adults from openly sharing their lives. Until the 1990s, there were limited resources for LGBTQ
youth. Gay and transgender adolescents had few sources of information to learn about their
identity or to find support. More recently, the Internet, school diversity clubs, and LGBTQ youth
groups have helped gay and transgender youth find accurate information, guidance, and support.
With greater access to resources, more LGBTQ young people are coming out (sharing
their gay or transgender identity with friends, family, and other adults) during adolescence. Until
recently, little was known about how parents react when an LGBTQ young person comes out
during adolescence, and even less was known about how family reactions affect an LGBTQ
adolescent‘s health and mental health. Families and caregivers have a significant impact on their
LGBTQ children‘s risk and well-being.
4. Problems of Homelessness:

The myriad problems facing LGBTQ people who are homeless include a lack of housing
and services that meet their specific needs. For example, An estimated 40-50% of the homeless
youth living on New York City‘s streets identify as LGBTQ. They are living there because they
were thrown out of their homes for being queer, or ran away to escape an abusive situation.
Family housing in the shelter system across the country is not available for homeless same-sex

32
couples. Transgender people are not allowed to choose which gender they are more comfortable
living in the shelter system.
Abuse and harassment of LGBTQ homeless people are rampant in the shelter system.
Most domestic violence shelters do not accept gay men or transgender people. There has also
been a lack of any comprehensive plan for long-term housing for people with AIDS Homeless
LGBTQ youth are without economic support, often engage in drug use and risky sexual
behaviors, and often develop mental health disorders.
5. Problems of Homophobia:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to experience intolerance,
discrimination, harassment, and the threat of violence due to their sexual orientation than those
that identify themselves as heterosexual. This is due to homophobia. Some of the factors that
may reinforce homophobia on a larger scale are moral, religious, and political beliefs of a
dominant group. Living in a Homophobic environment forces many LGBTQ people to conceal
their sexuality, for fear of the negative reactions and consequences of coming out.
There is no single definition for the term ‗homophobia‘, as it covers a broad range of
different viewpoints and attitudes. Homophobia is defined as hostility towards or fears of gay
people, but can also refer to stigma arising from social ideologies about homosexuality. Negative
feelings or attitudes towards non-heterosexual behavior, identity, relationships, and community,
can lead to homophobic behavior and this is the root of the discrimination experienced by many
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) people. Homophobia manifests itself in
different forms, for example, homophobic jokes, physical attacks, discrimination in the
workplace and negative media representation. For individuals who have been brought up to
believe that homosexuality is wrong, the realization that they might be gay can cause feelings of
shame and self-loathing, leading to low self-esteem.
6. Experiences that could negatively impact mental health:

 Hostility from or rejection by loved ones or religious groups

 Bullying at school, harassment by neighbors, danger of violence in public places
 Casual homophobic comments on everyday basis
 Prejudice/embarrassed response from professionals
 No protection against discrimination at work, housing, pensions, etc.

33
  Childhood sexual abuse
 Verbal harassment, greater fear of physical violence and discrimination.
7. Drug Addiction of LGBTQ people:

LGBTQ people are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs than the general
population, are less liable to abstain, report higher rates of substance abuse problems, and are
more likely to continue heavy drinking into later life. LGBTQ‘s use alcohol, tobacco, and other
drugs for the same reasons as others, but their likelihood of doing so is heightened by personal
and cultural stresses resulting from anti-gay bias.
Reliance on bars for socialization, stress caused by discrimination, and targeted
advertising by tobacco and alcohol businesses in gay and lesbian publications are all believed to
contribute to increased pressures on LGBTQ individuals to engage in substance abuse.
Internalized homophobia is a form of self-limiting, self-loathing— an important concept to
understand in developing substance abuse services for this population.
8. Victims of Hate Crimes and Violence:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people and those perceived to be LGBTQ are
regularly targeted as victims of hate crimes and violence. LGBTQ people experience stigma and
discrimination across their life spans and are targets of sexual and physical assault, harassment
and hate crimes. Additional factors that may impact on mental health and well-being for LGBTQ
people include the process of ―coming out‖ (sharing one‘s LGBTQ identity with others), gender
transition, internalized oppression, isolation and alienation, loss of family or social support, and
the impact of HIV and AIDS. However, LGBTQ individuals’ experiences of violence and
discrimination differ depending on some factors including race, gender, income, and immigration
status and language barriers. LGBTQ immigrants are more likely to face violence based on race
and ethnicity and sexual identity and gender identity.

9. Problems of Terminology:

Problems in language occur when terminology is unclear or when terminology has been
associated with negative stereotypes. Problems arise in language
Concerning lesbians, gay men, and bisexual persons when the language is too vague or the
concepts are poorly defined. Language may be ambiguous in reference so that the reader is

34
uncertain about its meaning or its inclusion and exclusion criteria; and the term homosexuality
has been associated in the past with deviance, mental illness, and criminal behavior, and these
negative stereotypes may be perpetuated by biased language.
The term sexual orientation is preferred to the sexual preference for psychological
writing and refers to sexual and affection relationships of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual
people.
The word preference suggests a degree of voluntary choice that is not necessarily
reported by lesbians and gay men and that has not been demonstrated in psychological research.
The terms lesbian sexual orientation, heterosexual sexual orientation, gay male sexual
orientation, and bisexual sexual orientation are preferable to lesbianism, heterosexuality,
homosexuality, and bisexuality. The former terms focus on people, and some of the latter terms
have in the past been associated with pathology

Coming Out Trends

This study also showed that coming out is happening at an earlier age for younger
Students. This finding is understandable considering how much more open society has become
on topics related to sexual orientation. This finding may also address an important characteristic
of the “Millennial” generation of students coming into higher education. The gay and lesbian
students in the generation feel more comfortable about their sexual orientation than previous
generations. This change suggests that the needs of gay and lesbian “millennial” may be different
than the generations before them. If this is true, then higher education needs to make greater
strides in determining the needs of these students. Also, future studies may want to separate
undergraduates from graduate students and post-graduate student to examine them separately.

Implications for Practice

Just like with theory, implications for practice are limited since the data lacks many
significant findings. It was found that students in later phases are more interested in social and
support LGBTQ community. Professionals working with lesbian and gay students can use this
information to target programs that have support and social components toward students who
have an integrated identity. This information can also benefit student leaders as they plan
programs for their peers.

35
 For professionals and student leaders to offer better programs, more research needs to
occur to understand better why there is an interest in support organizations for individuals in
phase four; it needs to be determined what kind of requirements and developmental outcomes are
required at these different stages of sexual consciousness identity development. The answers to
this question can then shape programming efforts amongst professionals who work directly with
LGBTQ students. This study also showed that more students are arriving at college having not
come out but they already possess an integrated sexual identity as term ‘can’t say’.
This trend can be helpful for professionals as they realize that the needs of the millennial
gay and lesbian students are different from students in previous generations. The issue of coming
out to the family is less of importance for this younger gay and lesbian students. As one
participant pointed out, though, coming out to coworkers is an ongoing process. Coming out to
non-family members may still be an issue for younger students as they become more
autonomous in the work world.
Identity development may not have explained a significant portion of the variance of
time spent with LGBTQ community students, but most likely other factors could play a part in
addition to identity development: time spent on academic work, time spent at a job, living on or
off campus, the availability of LGBTQ organizations, the institutional climate toward lesbian and
gay issues, and the dynamics of the LGBTQ groups that exist.

Suggestions for Future Research

This study has generated many unanswered questions that should be pursued in the future. The
study also has given insight into sampling procedures for lesbian and gay students and ways to
measure lesbian and gay identity development and also it can be explored separately that
contemporary issues in LGBTQ community and social identity development.

Methodological Issues to Consider

In addition to ideas for research, there is clearly need to improve the methodology related to
research with lesbian and gay students. This study experienced many challenges because it
lacked a sufficient sample size of individuals in the earlier phases of identity development.
Future studies should endeavor to take creative measures in addressing this problem. The online
version of this study was useful in reaching many students, but because of the way the study was

36
advertised (by e-mail), the online survey reached only those students who already had relatively
integrated identities. Researchers should consider being more proactive with working with the
LGBTQ community to reach individuals who are not as integrated. The Questionnaires need
revision.
The directions of the questionnaire were difficult for participants to follow and also
limited the findings of the study. It is possible to reward the instructions so that participants can
more easily complete the questionnaire. At the same time, the questionnaire can be scored so that
correlations can be done for each phase of identity development. For example, the questionnaire
could ask the participants to respond affirmatively to all statements that ever applied to them.
This would require a change in how scores are interpreted. Also, the questionnaire
reinforced a gender dichotomy by having two different versions of the study (one for gay males,
and the other for lesbians). The questionnaire should strive to have inclusive language that
addresses the experiences of both gay men and lesbians at the same time. It might be possible to
use gender neutral terms.

Conclusion

Overall this study did not produce more insight into the relationship between identity
development, the level of involvement and conundrums of LGBTQ community. It did find that
type of involvement in LGBTQ organizations is related to identity development. Those later in
identity development tend to prefer social and support type groups over cultural and educational
class organizations. The study also provided insight into identity development theory, how to
measure it, and ways to prevent certain flaws in sampling and data analysis in future research.
The study also provided some insight into measuring involvement and found that age,
coming out, and identity development are all positively associated with each other. These
findings support the concept that growth occurs over time, and that for gay and lesbian identity
development, coming out can serve as significant milestones. This study also shows the
contemporary conundrums of LGBTQ community and the whole theory has been written on that
to understand it from societal and LGBTQ community identity development.

Some Recommendation

37
1. Support the most marginalized of the LGBTQ community—people of color, low-income,
young, elderly and transgender people.
2. Establish collaborations on cross-issue work that includes LGBTQ issues affecting low-
income and people of color populations.
3. Engage Foundation staff in public education around issues affecting LGBTQ low-income
people and LGBTQ people of color, especially as they relate to transgender issues.
4. Schools and teacher training programmers are important sites where LGBTQ issues and
concerns need to be addressed. To help promote health and safety among LGBTQ youth, schools
can implement the following policies and practices:
i) Encourage respect for all students and prohibit bullying, harassment, and violence
against all students.
ii) Identify ―safe spaces, ‖ such as counselors ‘offices, designated classrooms, or student
organizations, where LGBTQ youth can receive support from administrators, teachers, or
other school staff.
iii) Encourage student-led and student-organized school clubs that promote a safe,
welcoming, and accepting school environment (e.g., gay-straight alliances, which are
school clubs open to youth of all sexual orientations).
iv)To ensure that health curricula or educational materials include HIV, other STD, or
pregnancy prevention information that is relevant to LGBTQ youth; such as, ensuring
that curricula or materials use inclusive language or terminology.
v) Encourage school district and school staff to develop and publicize training on how to
create safe and supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual
orientation or gender identity and encourage staff to attend these training.
vi) To facilitate access to community-based providers who have experience providing
health services, including HIV/STD testing and counseling, to LGBTQ youth. Facilitate
access to community-based providers who have experience in providing social and
psychological services to LGBTQ youth.
5. Consider LGBTQ issues as a central theme in all economic and racial justice work.
6. Advocate with philanthropic peers to support LGBTQ racial and economic justice work.
7. To change societal attitude media has to play a responsible role by reporting on LGBTQ issues
and promoting a culture of tolerance and freedom for minorities.

38
8. Legal funds need to be created that can take on Public Interest Litigation on LGBTQ issues.
9. Training needs to be conducted for health professionals to increase their understanding of
LGBTQ identity as potential risk factor for self-harm suicidal behavior and depression.
Respective authorities should ensure that health, mental health, and social care services are
provided in a way that is accessible and appropriate for LGBTQ people.
10. The National, as well as a state government, should develop initiatives to support employers
in making the workplace and workplace culture more supportive and inclusive of LGBTQ
people.
11. To check the violence that is perpetrated in the home as well as in the public sphere, the
domestic violence law has to be expanded to include non-spousal and parental abuse as well.
12. The police force at all level needs to be sensitized to LGBTQ issues and also on the general
principles of fundamental human rights.
13. Stigmatizing or anthologizing language regarding gay men, lesbians, and bisexual persons
should be avoided (e.g., "sexual deviate," "sexual invert").
14. Local authorities, policy makers, schools and family need more education on accepting
gender variant children, and in treating people of different sexuality and gender identity equally,
and in applying for policies and programs in a ―friendly‖ manner, rather than being hostile.

Glossary:

 Bisexual— A person who is sexually attracted to both men and women or to a set of
qualities that do not necessarily line up with biological sex.
 Come out—To publicly affirm one‘s homosexual identity, sometimes to one person in
conversation, sometimes by an act that places one in the public eye. It is not a single
event, but rather a lifelong process.
 Gay—used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, emotional, and
spiritual attractions are to people of the same sex. In contemporary contexts; ―Lesbian‖
is often a preferred term for women.
 Gender Identity—the gender that a person sees. This can include refusing to label
oneself with a gender.
 Heterosexual privilege- The benefits granted automatically to heterosexual people that
are denied to gay men and lesbians.

39
 Homophobia- fear and hatred of LGBTQ individuals based on a lack of knowledge and
cultural conditioning. It is also manifested as a fear of being or being perceived as gay or
the fear of one‘s attraction to the same gender.
 Internalized Homophobia-The process by which a member of the LGBTQ community
comes to accept and live out inaccurate, disparaging myths and stereotypes about
LGBTQ persons.
 Lesbian-A woman who has emotional, social, psychological, and physical commitments
and responses to other women.
 Marginalization- The process whereby something or someone is pushed to the edge of a
group and accorded lesser importance. This is predominantly a social phenomenon by
which a minority or sub-group is excluded, and their needs or desires ignored.
Marginalization can be defined as the process in which groups of people are excluded
(marginalized) by the wider society. Marginalization is often used in an economic or
political sense to refer to the rendering of an individual, an ethnic or national group, or a
nation-state powerless by a more powerful person.
 Queer-Once a derogatory term, the word ―queer‖ has been embraced by the GLBT
community and is used as an umbrella term for all sexual minorities.
 Questioning—Being unsure of one‘s sexual orientation and gender identity.
 Sexual Orientation or Identity—Emotional, physical, and sexual attraction to others,
which may be towards the same sex (homosexual), the other sex (heterosexual), or both
sexes (bisexual).
 Social Exclusion- The European Commission and European Council defined social
exclusion as a: ―process whereby certain individuals are pushed to the edge of society
and prevented from participating fully by their poverty, or lack of core competencies and
lifelong learning opportunities, or as a result of discrimination. This distances them from
a job, income and education and training opportunities as well as social and community
networks and activities. They have little access to power and decision-making bodies and
thus often feel powerless and unable to take control over the decisions that affect their
day to day lives.

40
  Transphobic- is a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards transsexuality and
transsexual or transgender people, based on the expression of their internal gender
identity.
 Transgender—refers to persons whose self-perception as male or female is different
than their biological sex and who live full-time as the other sex.
Appendix
A. APPENDIX : E-mail Advertisement

Subject: social consciousness identity development and contemporary conundrums of

LGBTQ community
Dear friends,
My name is Karan jajal, and I am a master student here at Gujarat University, K.s school
of business management, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat I am conducting a study on
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) Student And societal identity development
involvement. It is paramount that I get participants to complete my survey. The results of the
study will help the LGBTQ community here at the University and add to the body of knowledge
surrounding LGBTQ students and society as well.
Please consider spending a few minutes of your time by participating in this study
Who should be involved?
- H.S.C student, Undergrads, graduate students, master students and doctorate students,
--Those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, exploring, and questioning; experience attraction to
the same sex; OR engage in same-sex behavior; --Those who are involved, semi-involved, or
NOT participating in the LGBTQ community. (If you are not involved in any way, please
consider participating in this study!)
ALL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
Need more information? Contact Karan jajal at karanjajal2@gmail.com

41
 B. Appendix

GUJARAT UNIVERSITY
K. S. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT [FIVE YEARS FULL – TIME M.B.A
INTEGRATED DEGREE COURSE] SEVENTH SEMESTER OF FOURTH YEAR M.B.A
THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH PURPOSE ONLY. ALL
THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONFIDENTIAL.

Part -1
Please tell us about yourself:-
1. Which is best describing your gender identity?
 Male  Female  Transgender
2. What is your religious /spiritual affiliation?
 Hindu  Muslim Jain
 Christian  Sikh  Other
3. Tell your religious service attendance.
 More than once/week  Only spiritual occasion /holidays
 Once a week  One in a year
 Once a month  Never
4. What is the highest education level you have completed/ running?
 High school (H.S.C)  Bachelor
 Master  Doctoral Degree
5. Which class represents your family status/ background?(Upper and lower includes )
 Lower class  middle-class  higher class
6. Mark your current relationship status:
 Single  Married  Leave in relationship
 Involved with multiple partner  other specify________
7. What is your current living situation?
 Alone  With spouse
 Hostel/P.G  Family/ Guardian

Part -2
[To check, the societal consciousness’ identity development]
8. Mark your preference about Homosexuality in social recognition.
 Favor  Oppose  Neutral
9. Give your attitude about Homosexual marriage in a close relative.
 Accepted  Rejected
10. What is your response about Homosexual marriage among community member?
 Favor  Oppose  Neutral
11. Will you support Homosexual marriage for one when it is illegal?

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  Yes  No  Neutral
12. Do you think that Homosexual marriage should be legalized?
 Yes  No  Neutral
13. Give your preference for Homosexual marriage for one when it is illegal.
 Favor  Against
14. Mark your preference towards giving rights and benefits to Homosexuals equal to
heterosexual.
 Yes  No  Neutral
15. Round or square the best suitable No. for your answer.
Information…
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
1 2 3 4 5

Statements Numbers
1. I like the company of Homosexuals; they are like normal 1 2 3 4 5
human being.
2. It would be beneficial to society to recognize Homosexuality as 1 2 3 4 5
normal.
3. Homosexuals should be given social equality. 1 2 3 4 5
4. Homosexuals should have an equal opportunity of employment. 1 2 3 4 5
5. Homosexuality should accept entirely in our society. 1 2 3 4 5
6. Homosexuals have the right to moral justices to any abuse. 1 2 3 4 5
7. Supreme Court should remove the SEC.377. 1 2 3 4 5
8. Homosexuality is the sin. 1 2 3 4 5
9. Homosexuals should not allow working/ stay with children. 1 2 3 4 5
10. Homosexuality is like poverty in society. 1 2 3 4 5

Part -3
[Note: This part is specifically made for LGBTQ community belonging, but if
you are a true supporter of that you may go through this and give your valuable
answer]
16. Is Homosexuality ever justices?
 Never Always  Neutral
17. Do you identify / will as LGBTQ community belonging?
 Yes  No  Can’t specify
If yes then,
To whom you came out as that to the individual following.
 Family  Friends  Co workers/organization
18. Your identity in terms of your sexual orientation:

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  Gay/ Lesbian  Bisexual
 Heterosexual  other specify___________
19. Are you member of any LGBTQ community group in city?
 Yes  No  Can’t say
20. Have you ever take part in any LGBTQ community pride in any city?
 Yes  No  Can’t say
If yes then;
How was the experience?  Good  Bad  Neutral
21. Are you active in any social media? (mark one - you spend more time)
 Face book  Wats up  Twitter
 Instagram  If other specify ____________
22. Tick mark or write the problem or issues in LGBTQ community that you are actually
come across by witnessed /experienced / herded, from society or LGBTQ community
itself.
 Experience of violation/ intimidation  Sexual assault
 Verbal abuse/ Name calling  Bad dependency
 Threats of physical violence  Bad addictions
 Followed/ Chased  Criminal damaged
 Significant emotional distress  Property damaged
 Depression/ Anxiety  Panic attack
 Stress/ Anger management  Suicidal thought
 Insomnia  Harassed by employer /ee
 Turn down for job otherwise qualified Harassed by landlords
 Denied promotion  Denied lease/ rental home
 Forced to leave job by harassment  Denied school financial aid
 Delayed or conceal gender transition to avoid discrimination
 Denied admission in school or college  Problem of Homelessness
 Denied campus housing/ hostel facility  Problem of Homophobia
 Denied service in restaurant/ bar/ others  Legal justice barrier
 Denied service in hotel/ motel  Problem of terminology
 Denied membership or access of gym/ clubs
 Harassed/ verbally abused by medical care provider
 Impact of family reaction on LGBTQ: conflicts & rejection
23. Please feel free to provide us with any other information you would like to share below.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

References
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 http://www.ijims.com ISSN: 2348 – 0343 International Journal of Interdisciplinary and
Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.5, 317-331.
 The relationship of lesbian and gay identity development and involvement in lesbian, gay
bisexual, and transgender student organizations by John Wiley lynch
 Queering Indian Sociology
A Critical Engagement Pushpesh Kuma, CAS WORKING PAPER SERIES
Centre for the Study of Social Systems Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
May 2014 CAS/WP/14-7
 Louisiana social workers: A study on attitudes toward LGBTQ youth by Rachel
O’Pry B.A., Louisiana State University, 2010 May 2012
 https/:indianjpscharitry .org
 Homosexuality In India – The Invisible Conflict-Anuradha Parasar Department of Policy
Science, National Law University, N.H.-65, Nagour Road, Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan,
India
 http://www.ilga.info/index.html
 findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2065/is_n1_v50/ai_20344099/pg_4 - 28k -
 http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/sawweb/sawnet/news/news337.txtg
 http://www.fsw.ucalgary.ca/ramsay/gay-lesbian-bisexual/3ta-south-asia-
homosexuality.htm#India%20Films
 India's Pioneer: Ashok Row Kavi Interview by Perry Brass at
ww.gaytoday.badpuppy.com
 LGBTQ from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Retrieved 11 Feb 2014 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ.
 Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Islam; Retrieved 12 March 2014
 http://wwwIndia: Supreme Court rules to overturn decriminalization of homosexuality
(December 11, 2013) Retrieved
 12 March 2014 from http://www.examiner.com/article/india-supreme-court-rules-to-
overturn-decriminalizationof homosexuality.hrc.org/resources/entry/stances-of-faiths-on-
LGBTQ-issues-islam
 See “Study Description: [India],” 2006, available from
http://www.wvsevsdb.com/wvs/WVSDocumentation.jsp?Idioma=I
 Green, Melissa S. (2012). Anchorage LGBTQ Discrimination Survey: Final Report.
Anchorage, AK: Identity, Inc.

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