Asia
India’s Odisha state launches program to empower transgender people
Upwards of 300 trans people have received jobs through Sweekruti

Despite being celebrated as iconic characters inĀ ancient texts; dancing at a wedding for someone else; clapping and dancing while blessing a newborn baby at any home; transgender Indians are still ostracized and not able to get a job, get married or live a decent life.Ā
Such was the consequence of 200 years of British colonial suppression in India, but things are changing for trans people in India. Several states began to introduce measures to help the trans community after the IndianĀ Supreme Court‘s 2014Ā ruling that recognized a trans person as a “third gender,” and the passage of theĀ Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019Ā in the Indian Parliament. Odisha, a state in eastern India, is working to make trans people part of mainstream society through its Sweekruti “acceptance” program.
The program provides critical health care, scholarships, counseling, legal aid, a certificate and skill training. According to a recent report, about 300Ā transĀ people have received jobs through Sweekruti.
“It will help create an ecosystem of equal opportunities, social justice, protection of transgender rights and full participation in society. It is opening various avenues of employment and self-employment for the community,” said Anushree Dash, a social reformer and human rights activist who founded the website ADiBha She Vision. “(The) focus is mostly on skill development and low paying jobs instead of higher education and high paying (so-called respectable) jobs. There is no trans inclusion in social sector and government sector jobs. The government’s research and scheme need to be applauded, but it needs more and more public participation. I believe there is a scope for strengthening the existing implementation machinery.”
The 2011 Census notes there are 20,322 trans people in Odisha, but 14.5 percent of respondents who participated in an online survey the state’s Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department conducted in 2017 reported no income and were living in poverty.
The Odisha government in 2020 tried to improve the social and economic conditions of the trans community by introducing aĀ monthly pension programĀ for elderly and differently-abled trans people, but the Sweekruti program has been hailed as a successful initiative because it directly provides low-paying jobs to trans people and helps trans youth gain acceptance.
“First of all, I want to appreciate our chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, because he designed this project to empower the transgender community. This scheme mainstreams the transgender community by providing skills and jobs. So, this is a very good initiative,” said Meera Parida, a trans woman who is a State Advisor for Urban and Housing Development under the MUKTA (Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan Yojana) program. “On many areas under the scheme, the work is already underway. Although it is not sufficient that it can provide everything, it is a good project for any transgender woman or man thinking about startups or wanting to get skills so they can improve their life.”
While talking with the Washington Blade, Parida said the trans community started to feel respect after the 2014 Supreme Court ruling and the passage of the 2019 law. She said it is more about dignity.
“People and government have started to talk about us and started to respect and include us in different government schemes,” said Parida. “It recognizes our presence.”
The Odisha High Court in May 2022 ordered the state government to release the family pension of a dead government employee to a trans person who was dependent on a pensioner. The Odisha government amended the pension rules nine months later. According to the new rule, a single trans child of a government employee or pensioner who died on or after Jan. 10, 2020, will be treated as an unmarried daughter for the family pension.
“Sweekruti is a good initiative, and works well in Odisha, but sometimes it is not as efficient as it should be. So, the government should fix the issue,” said Ashisha Behera, a trans activist who works with the Center for Advocacy and Research. “The initiative requires identification which is important, and it’s happening also, but sometimes the beneficiary belongs to a rural background, and many of them do not have idea about Sweekruti scheme, so government should spread awareness about it.”
While talking with the Blade, Biswa Bhusan Pattanayak, assistant director of the Bhubaneswar office of SAATHII, an LGBTQ and intersex rights group, said that one of the key components of the Sweekruti program is to facilitate access to social protection, livelihood and mainstream measures. This has been instrumental in addressing the livelihood needs of some trans people. Pattanayak, however, said mainstreaming initiatives need much larger efforts, in terms of expanding the scale and reach of livelihood initiatives.
Pattanayak added the government also simultaneously needs to address the root causes, such as discrimination and exclusion, that lead to trans and gender non-conforming children dropping out of educational institutions and being deprived of mainstream employment.
“The formulation of schemes is not enough. We need to see the issues around transgender persons from a development perspective,” said Pattanayak. “The development approach to the transgender community needs to converge initiatives and stakeholders from all sectors. We need to stop seeing transgender persons as just beneficiaries of governmental largesse; rather; recognize them as equal stakeholders in development actions.”
Ankush Kumar is a freelance reporter who has covered many stories for Washington and Los Angeles Blades from Iran, India and Singapore. He recently reported for the Daily Beast. He can be reached atĀ [email protected]. He is on Twitter atĀ @mohitkopinion.Ā
Thailand
Thailand marriage equality law takes effect
Country is first in Southeast Asia to allow same-sex couples to marry

A law that extends marriage rights to same-sex couples in Thailand took effect on Thursday.
Media reports indicate hundreds of same-sex couples tied the knot across the country once the law took effect. The Bangkok Post reported Bangkok Pride and authorities in the Thai capital organized a mass wedding that took place at a shopping mall.
“Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand,” said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on X.
Thai lawmakers last year approved the marriage equality bill. King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed it last September.
Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Same-sex couples can legally marry in Taiwan and Nepal.
India
India hotel chain policy allows for cancellation of unmarried couples’ reservations
OYO Rooms issued directive on Jan. 9, requires proof of relationship

Traveling in India is becoming increasingly challenging for unmarried couples, with LGBTQ partners facing even greater hurdles.
OYO Rooms, a major hospitality chain, on Jan. 9 issued a directive to its partner hotels in Meerut, a city that is 50 miles from New Delhi, that allows them to refuse to allow unmarried couples to make reservations.
The chain now requires all couples to present valid proof of their relationship at check-in, even for online bookings. The company stated the decision aligns with local social sensibilities and hinted that the policy might be expanded to other cities based on feedback from the ground.
OYO, which partners with more than half a million hotels across India, operates not only within the country but also in other parts of Asia, the U.S., and Europe. According to sources familiar with the policy change, the company previously received feedback from civil society groups, particularly in Meerut, urging action on this issue. Residents from other cities have also petitioned to disallow unmarried couples from booking rooms in OYO hotels.
OYO and other budget hotel chains for years have been perceived in India as safe spaces for couples seeking privacy. This policy change, however, has sparked criticism online. Many view it as a departure from the brand’s long-standing image as a haven for unmarried couples. In a society where many couples struggle to find private spaces at home or elsewhere, this move has drawn backlash for restricting access to affordable accommodation.
LGBTQ couples, who often rely on OYO and other budget hotels for privacy, may feel the impact of this decision more acutely.
The Supreme Court in 2023 ruled LGBTQ people have the right to form relationships without discrimination, but it also ruled against marriage rights for same-sex couples. OYO’s policy, and others like it, further limit the availability of same spaces for them as they continue to face marginalization.
India in 2023 welcomed approximately 9.23 million foreign tourists, an increase from 7 million in 2021, though still below the pre-pandemic peak of 10.93 million in 2019. While there are no specific records for LGBTQ tourists, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Restrictive policies like OYO’s directive, however, could create difficulties for LGBTQ travelers seeking budget accommodations.
“OYO is committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices,” said OYO North India Region Head Pawas Sharma in a statement to Press Trust of India. “While we respect individual freedoms and personal liberty, we also recognize our responsibility to listen to and work with law enforcement and civil society groups in the micro-markets we operate in. We will continue to review this policy and its impact periodically.”
The multinational company claims to be reshaping outdated perceptions by presenting itself as a brand that offers safe experiences for families, students, business travelers, religious pilgrims, and solo travelers.
A survey that Booking.com conducted in 2023 found, 91 percent of LGBTQ travelers in India prioritized their personal safety and well-being when choosing travel destinations, a notable increase from 70 percent in the previous year.
“I am surprised OYO is doing this,” said Kalki Subramaniam, a global transgender activist, artist, and founder of the Sahodari Foundation, an organization that supports trans people in India. “What are they trying to establish through this moral code? Do they really care about every customer? If so, how can they introduce something like this? I would like to know what their stance on LGBTQ rights is.”
The Washington Blade made multiple attempts to contact OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal and his company for comment, but has received no response.
Sudhanshu Latad, advocacy manager at Humsafar Trust, a prominent LGBTQ organization in India, expressed uncertainty about the policyās impact on the LGBTQ community.
“Two boys in India are not considered married anyway, so if two boys book a hotel room together, no one usually bothers unless one is feminine or gives off a hint,” Latad said. “However, for a trans woman and a man, it could be a challenge.”
Latad referenced the Supreme Court’s 2023 marriage equality ruling, which allows trans people who fit into the binary system of gender to legally marry.
“Affluent transgender couples may choose bigger hotels, which are less of a challenge, but economically marginalized individuals often end up paying bribes to hotel staff at budget hotels like OYO Rooms,” he added.
Latad further explained that tourists can generally be divided into two categories: Affluent leisure travelers who prefer luxury hotels, and backpackers.
“If backpackers are gay white men, they usually face no trouble securing a room,” he said. “OYO’s policy, however, seems discriminatory towards heterosexual unmarried couples.”
India
Indian Supreme Court rejects marriage equality ruling appeals
Judges ruled against full same-sex relationship recognition in 2023

The Indian Supreme Court on Jan. 9 rejected a series of petitions that challenged its 2023 ruling against marriage equality
A 5-judge bench ā Justices Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Surya Kant, Bengaluru Venkataramiah Nagarathna, Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, and Dipankar Datta ā said there were no errors in the ruling that justified a review.
A five-judge Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, on Oct. 17, 2023, in a 3-2 decision ruled against recognizing the constitutional validity of same-sex marriages in India.
The court emphasized it is parliament’s rule to decide whether to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. It also acknowledged its function is limited to interpreting laws, not creating them.
The judges on Jan. 9 stated they had reviewed the original rulings.
“We do not find any error apparent on the face of the record,” they said. “We further find that the view expressed in both the judgments is in accordance with law and as such, no interference is warranted. Accordingly, the review petitions are dismissed.ā
A new bench of judges formed on July 10, 2024, afterĀ Justice Sanjiv KhannaĀ unexpectedly recused himself from hearing the appeals, citing personal reasons. The reconstituted bench included Narasimha, who was part of the original group of judges who delivered the ruling.
“The fact that we have lost is a comma and not a full stop for equality,” said Harish Iyer, a prominent LGBTQ rights activist in India and one of the plaintiffs of marriage equality case. “The admission of review petitions is a rarity, and while we will proceed with all legal recourses available this is not the only fight.”
Some of the plaintiffs in November 2023 appealedĀ the Supreme Court’s original decision. Udit Sood and other lawyers who had represented them in the original marriage equality case filed the appeal.
The appeal argued the ruling contained “errors apparent on the face of the record,” and described the earlier ruling as “self-contradictory and manifestly unjust.” It criticized the court for acknowledging the plaintiffs face discrimination, but then dismissing their claims with “best wishes for the future,” contending this approach fails to fulfill the court’s constitutional obligations toward queer Indians and undermines the separation of powers envisioned in the constitution. The appeal also asserted the majority ruling warrants review because it summarily dismissed established legal precedents and made the “chilling declaration” that the constitution does not guarantee a fundamental right to marry, create a family, or form a civil union.
While speaking to the Washington Blade, Iyer said this setback is a reminder that our futures can be shaped by collaboration and numerous small victories along the way.
“We will have a multi-pronged approach,” he said. “We need to speak to parents groups, teachers, police personnel, doctors, and medical staff, news reporters, podcasters, grassroots activists, activists from allied movements, our local/state and national level elected representatives. We all need to do our bit in our circle of influence. These small waves will create a force that will help us propel toward marriage equality.”
Iyer told the Blade he is confident the community will achieve marriage equality within his lifetime, offering assurance to every queer individual.
“I just hope that I am not too old to find someone to marry with by then.”
As per the Supreme Court’s rules, a ruling is reviewed only if there is a mistake or error apparent on the face of the record, the discovery of new evidence, or any reason equivalent to these two. Justices typically consider appeals without oral arguments, circulating them among themselves in chambers. The same set of justices who issued the original ruling typically rules on the appeal. In this case, however, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and S. Ravindra Bhat, and Chandrachud, who were part of the original bench, had retired.
Souvik Saha, founder of Jamshedpur Queer Circle, an LGBTQ organization that conducts sensitization workshops with law enforcement and local communities, described the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal as not just a legal setback, but a significant blow to the hopes of millions of LGBTQ people across India. He said the decision perpetuates a sense of exclusion, denying the community the constitutional promise of equality under Article 14 and the right to live with dignity under Article 21.
“This decision comes at a time when global momentum on marriage equality is growing,” said Saha, noting Taiwan and more than 30 other countries around the world have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples. “The lack of recognition in India, despite the 2018 Navtej Johar judgement ā decriminalizing homosexuality, leaves the LGBTQ community in a vulnerable position.”
Saha further noted in Jharkhand, a state in eastern India where socio-cultural stigmas run deep, the Supreme Court’s refusal highlights the fight for equality is far from over.
He shared the Jamshedpur Queer Circle recently supported a young lesbian couple who were disowned by their families and faced threats when attempting to formalize their relationship. Saha stressed that without legal safeguards, such couples are left without recourse, underscoring the urgent need for marriage equality to ensure protection and recognition for LGBTQ people.
“While the decision delays progress, it cannot halt the movement for equality,” said Saha. “Marriage equality is inevitable in a country where nearly 60 percent of Indians aged 18-34 believe that same-sex couples should have the right to marry (Ipsos LGBT+ Pride Survey, 2021.) This ruling highlights the need to shift our advocacy strategy towards building a stronger case for social and political change.”
Saha proposed several calls to action and strategies for moving forward.
He emphasized to the Blade the need for mobilizing the community through state-level consultations and storytelling campaigns to humanize the issue of marriage equality. Saha also highlighted the importance of developing stronger petitions, supported by case studies, international precedents, and data to effectively address judicial concerns.
Saha suggested working with allies in civil society and corporate India to push for incremental changes. He advocated for engaging policymakers in dialogue to promote legislative reforms, emphasizing the economic benefits of inclusion. Saha also called for campaigns to counter misinformation and prejudice, while establishing counseling and support groups for LGBTQ people and their families that provide guidance and support.
“Legal recognition of marriage is not just about ceremony; it is about the basic rights, dignity, and respect that every individual deserves,” said Saha. “Together, through collective action, we will ensure that the arc of justice bends in our favor.”
Indrani Chakraborty, an LGBTQ activist and mother of Amulya Gautam, a transgender student from Guwahati in Assam state, described the Supreme Court’s appeal denial as an “insensitive approach.”
“Love and commitment are emotions that can never be under boundaries. Rejection of same-sex marriage is an oppressive approach towards the LGBTQI+ community,” said Chakraborty. “This is discrimination. Marriage provides social and legal security to the couple and that should be irrespective of gender. Same-sex relationships will be there as always even with or without any constitutional recognition. The fight should go on, as I believe, this validates the intention. The community needs to stand bold, and equality be achieved.”
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