Just a few days ahead of his birthday, popular LGBTQ and child rights activist Harish Iyer, who is known for his fierce views on homosexuality, has joined India’s grand old party Congress.
Announcing it on micro-blogging site , Iyer said, “I don’t merely support the Congress. I am Congress.”
I have officially joined the @INCIndia and look forward to working with the Mumbai Congress team in weeding out homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and the politics of hate. pic.twitter.com/G0wJYEJL1w
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
@milinddeora was the first to write a piece against section 377 and thought it was archaic.
And today, he encouraged me to do this.
So today, the doors or the closet have yet again set themselves free. I don’t merely support the Congress. I am Congress. pic.twitter.com/UjdAp9HC7z
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
Born on April 16, 1979, Harish Iyer has been fighting for the rights of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community for years. He was even featured on actor Aamir Khan’s talk show Satyamev Jayate in 2012 in an episode which talked about child sexual abuse.
The Guardian in year 2017, named Iyer in the list of the 100 most influential LGBT people in the world. Listed at 71, he was the only Indian in the list.
Expressing his joy in a series of tweets over officially joining the Congress party, Iyer praised party chief Rahul Gandhi for extending his support to the LGBT community.
People aren’t aware of the difference between trans and intersex, and many still worship trans people and not as one of their own.
There are no homosexual people in Indian politics that I know who wear their sexuality and their party name, both on their sleeve.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
In the states there are Congressial LGBT caucuses. There is no discussion of the same in India. And rightfully, how long would we expect people who are not out and people who are not queer to take such decisions for us queer persons.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
And this head of the party should not just be standing for us but also all minorities whose lives stand affected because of the intersections.
I found one such leader who has been unwavering in their support.
His name is @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/27exrGBbw6
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
Iyer further encouraged people from the LGBT community to join politics in order to take the lead towards bringing a change in the society.
I encourage more people from the LGBT community to join politics. Come out and be the change. And i hope that one day, just as we have the “All India Mahila Congress” we will have the “All India Queer Congress”.
— harish iyer (@hiyer) April 9, 2019
