Guruswamy's election marks a historic milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics, highlighting progress in visibility and rights.
Menaka Guruswamy, a 51-year-old constitutional lawyer, was elected to India's Rajya Sabha last week, becoming the country's first openly queer member of parliament. She represents the Trinamool Congress from West Bengal and has pledged to uphold values of equality, fraternity, and non-discrimination.
Guruswamy, educated at the University of Oxford, Harvard Law School, and the National Law School of India University, is known for her work on civil liberties and constitutional law. Her election by the TMC is part of the party's strategy to include public intellectuals in the upper house, where she joins five female MPs among the party's 13 representatives.
Background and Achievements
Guruswamy has a history of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, including her role in the 2018 Supreme Court case that decriminalized consensual same-sex relations by striking down a colonial-era law. She and her partner, Arundhati Katju, were recognized in TIME's 100 Most Influential People list for their efforts.
In India, Guruswamy's milestone builds on earlier breakthroughs, such as Shabnam Mausi's 1998 election as the first openly transgender state legislator in Madhya Pradesh. While queer representation has occurred at state and local levels in places like Chhattisgarh and Delhi, no openly queer individual had previously served in national parliament.
Activists like Vishwa Schoolwallah and Preeti Sharma view Guruswamy's election as a step toward greater LGBTQ+ visibility, potentially leading to stronger anti-discrimination protections. However, Sharif Rangnekar cautioned that her role will depend on how she represents diverse community interests within the TMC's political framework.
The election occurs amid ongoing battles for LGBTQ+ rights in India, including the unresolved issue of marriage equality after the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to defer it to parliament. Globally, this contrasts with regions like the UK, where record numbers of openly queer MPs were elected in 2024, and Nepal, which had Asia's first openly gay federal lawmaker in 2008.
In South Asia, Guruswamy's position stands out, as openly queer legislators remain rare in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. LGBTQ+ activist Keshav Suri hopes her presence will advance legislative reforms, building on court victories for the community.
