International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research

ISSN 2394 - 7780

Volume 8, Issue 4 (VIII) October - December 2021

A STUDY ON THE LEVELS OF AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION

AND GENDER IDENTITY AMONGST STUDENTS

Saniya Sandeep Kulkarni

Student, V. G. Vaze College of Arts, Science, and Commerce

ABSTRACT
Adolescence is the dawn of many new feelings due to puberty that are confusing, intense, and sometimes, even

causing a disruption. He then finds himself a new identity in which he feels happier, that is innovation. These
newer identities come together and make the LGBTQ+ movement, helping people identify themselves better.
LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term inclusive of many different gender and sexual identities. Gender identity is who
you are. Sexual orientation
find themselves muddled and this dysphoria can increase the risk of mental and physical health problems. This
study aims at analysing the levels of awareness and the perception of sexual orientation and gender identity
amongst students, and to promote inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community. A survey was conducted among the
students living in and around Mumbai about their views and awareness of the LGBTQ+ movement. Findings
sho
differences between sexual and gender identities and few are unsure of their own identities. The lack of
awareness stems from the fact that they wer
there is certain negativity around the LGBTQ+ topic in their surroundings and it faces a certain resistance due
to politics, culture, and religions. My study concludes that even though we have a basic awareness, we are far

frowned upon. This will happen when we open positive discussions about it in schools, colleges, workplaces,
and all f
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Awareness, Sexual orientation, Gender identity

INTRODUCTION:
and
different aspects of it. They experience various hormonal, physical changes. They also start having firm
opinions about things. It is in this phase that they discover who they really are, and who they like. Many times,
not fitting into the society dict
of uncertainty, and sometimes, desperation to fit in. This desperation may sometimes be confusing, and the
cause of a lot of mental problems and depression. When tradition
identities; identities in which the person feels at home, and comfortable. That is innovation.
When mankind progressed, and basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing were no longer scarce, people got
thinking. Thinking about who they were, what their purpose was, etc. It is then that they discovered their liking
to different kinds of people. It was in the 19th century that people realized that they were not alone. However,
like-minded people seemed far and few. And with the constant backlash they faced because of religion and
culture, there was no way people would come out openly. During the late 20 th century, protests had already
started in the west to legalise LGBTQ and people were coming out. However, the movement was still taking its
time due to fewer means of propagation.
With the advent of the internet, correct information started spreading fast and wide. People started being aware,
and more and more people showed support for the movement. In India, the movement gained popularity around
2014, and Section 377 of IPC was decriminalised in 2018.
The topic of LGBTQ+ has always been a heated discussion. Often times even people who identify themselves
Q+ is an umbrella term. Sexual
orientation is who you are attracted to, drawn to emotionally and romantically, and want to have relationships
with. Gender identity is who you are, rather than who you are attracted to.

different from their birth-assigned sex.

Following are some of the types of gender identities:
Cisgender- A person identifies with the sex they were assigned to at birth.

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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 8, Issue 4 (VIII) October - December 2021

Transgender-
they were assigned at birth.
Nonbinary- Someone who does not experience gender within the gender binary.
Genderfluid- Someo
And many more.
There are many
identities associated with sexual orientation:
Heterosexual: People who are attracted to people of a different gender.
Homosexual: People who are attracted to people of the same gender.
Bisexual: People who are attracted to both men and women are called bisexuals.
Pansexual: People whose attractions span across many different gender identities (male, female, transgender,
etc.) may call themselves pansexual or queer.

themselves muddled, and upset and this dysphoria can increase the risk of mental and physical health problems.
s against cultures and

exactly conducive for LGBTQ+ people. They face discrimination everywhere they go. Till today there are
therapy classes, c
This study aims at exploring the levels of awareness amongst the students and their perception of issues
pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
1. Danielle Nadine Pi

she has conducted a survey to understand the opinions and experiences of LGBTQ+ identifying students.
The research finds out that out of the yielded responses, a fair majority felt comfortable, a substantial

about the different sexual and gender identities in the university curriculum. Respondents also felt

assumptions. The study is the beginning of a long discussion of combating hetero-sexism and cissexism
and puts the voices forward of those who are affected by it the most.
2.

higher education perpetuates hetero-normative and dominant methodological assumptions, which has a
great impact on policy and practice (re)formation. He says that the number of questions asked about sexual
orientation, their framing, and the answer options determined the level of inclusivity. Although there may
be political and financial costs to including sexual orientation in higher education survey data
collection, not including such questions would have drastic consequences for the wellness and success of
LGBQ+ students.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To analyse the levels of awareness about sexual orientation and gender identity among students.
2. To determine the amount of negativity around the LGBTQ movement.
3. To suggest ways of increasing awareness and promoting inclusivity of LGBTQ+ people amongst students.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
1. The sample size of the survey may not represent the ideas of everyone.
2. Mumbai, being a metropolitan city, the awareness and the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community is much
higher than in any other part of the country.

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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 8, Issue 4 (VIII) October - December 2021

3. The survey had multiple-choice options to choose from and this might not represent the true thoughts of the
people.
4. The sense of anonymity may lend itself to greater information exchange due to a sense of safety, but it may
also lead to less truthful responses for the same reasons.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
This research paper was aimed at exploring the levels of awareness about the LGBTQ+ community and their

interviews. The sampling method used was convenience sampling. The survey questionnaire was developed
following the advice of people who identify themselves to be LGBTQ+ for it to be as inclusive as possible. The
sample size was 75 students from different colleges. The survey was conducted anonymously. A multiple-
choice survey questionnaire was circulated amongst the students. The age of the students who answered the
survey was between 17 to 19 and the locality was in and around Mumbai. Interviews were also conducted for a
better understanding of data at ground level and for. The sources of secondary data were research papers and
other articles related to the topic. The method of analysis is statistical analysis.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA:
The data was collected from 75 students. The survey link was uploaded on various social platforms and students
were requested to fill the survey. The link was also circulated to others through private messages, friends, and
mutual contacts for 2 weeks. The results obtained are as follows:

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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 8, Issue 4 (VIII) October - December 2021

Awareness of different sexual and gender identities:

Sexual No. of people Gender Identity No of people aware
orientation aware
Heterosexual 71 (94.6%) Cisgender 57 (76%)
Homosexual 68 (90.6%) Transgender 72 (72%)
Bisexual 66 (88%) Nonbinary 34 (45.3%)
Polysexual 20 (26.6%) Genderfluid 17 (22.6%)
Pansexual 30 (40%) Gender Queer 19 (25.3%)
Asexual 50 (66.6%) Agender 18 (24%)
Queer 34 (45.3%) Androgyne 9 (12%)
Demisexual 17 (22.6%) Bigender 1 (1.3%)
Sapiosexual 24 (32%) Other 1 (1.3%)
Others 2 (2.6%)
The interviews conducted reveal that media has a big hand in the negativity surrounding the LGBTQ+
community. Majority of the negativity around the topic is due to the media propagating it as a menace to
from of their parents.
Even if people pretend to be cool and accepting, there are always snide comments. Calling someone gay/lesbian
is still considered an insult. Many interviewees also suggested different reforms like conducting seminars and
webinars for parents and students alike. A personal interview conducted with a 5th std student revealed that this

terms. What was interesting to note that she was

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION
The survey shows that there is a certain confusion and unawareness about the different sexual and gender
identities. This lack of knowledge is due to the fact that neither parents nor school/college have educated

and shun it from an early age. Some people are still confused about their own sexuality. Therapy will
help them figure out who they are and what they like.

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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 8, Issue 4 (VIII) October - December 2021

If the media starts giving positive and correct information about them then things will start getting better.
Everybody deserves an equal opportunity. The participation of LGBTQ+ people in all activities, be it social,
cultural, or democratic should be normalized. YouTube and social media should be used to spread awareness
since a large number of people actively use these platforms. Schools and other institutions should conduct
seminars and topics like LGBTQ should be included in the syllabus right from an early age. We will achieve
complete support and acceptance for LGBTQ+ when the topic is discussed at schools, colleges, workplaces
openly, without any frowns.
Have a connection before judging other people. LGBTQ+ people are as normal as the rest of us. Discrimination
against them should be stopped at all costs. They have a right to live freely and as they want. No religion or

recognized as a human first. Gender and sexuality are a part of identity, not individuality.
SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This survey was conducted amongst students in and around Mumbai. Further research should be taken up to
include students from all parts of the country to get a more holistic view.
Additional research should also be conducted about the perception of the LGBTQ+ community amongst the
general public as students are a very small section of society.
Effective seminars should be conducted on this topic to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
Therapy should be available at cheaper costs and schools and colleges should have counsellors.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334962644_Queer_Quantitative_Query_Sexual_Orientation_in_
Higher_Education_Surveys
2. https://www.glaad.org/how-sexual-orientation-different-gender-identity
3. https://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions
4. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation
5. https://celt.uwindsor.ca/index.php/CELT/article/view/4753
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-gender-identity#definition-of-gender-identity
7. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/917990-overview
8. https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/support/gender-pronouns/
9. https://young.scot/get-informed/national/gender-identity-terms
10. https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/sAYrieZdZKEybKzhP8FDbP/Being-LGBT-in-India-Some-home-
truths.html
A link to the Survey Questionnaire: A survey on the levels of awareness and perception of sexual
orientation and gender identity amongst students.

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