For many queer Malayalis, lockdown at home were days of forced conversion therapy

Kochi: Many members of the queer community returned home to Kerala during the lockdown to continue their work from home, only to face forced conversion therapy, according to a Queerala.

Several of them had to undergo domestic violence, pressure to fit into the gender binary, conversion therapy, and traumatic "advice" in their parental homes.

Board member of Queerala, an organisation working for the welfare of queer people in Kerala Rajashree told The News Minute that parents have locked up gay sons in mental health hospitals after finding out their homosexuality. Queer persons are forcefully injected with testosterone and traumatised with therapy.

A 2015 survey by the Social Justice Department found that Kerala has about 25,000 transgender and intersex people. Queerala has observed a significant increase in calls on its helpline number during the pandemic. The lockdown forced many LGBTQIA+ persons to return home and stay with their parents. Many hadn't revealed their sexuality to families.

Rajashree said that some lesbian women were taken for tests by doctors. They diagnosed her with zero decision-making skills and prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Even if the victims go to the police, physical abuse by parents is not considered domestic violence, reported The News Minute.

Some LGBTQ+ persons have reported emotional blackmail, intersex-phobic assaults, and gender-based discrimination from parents, siblings, and neighbours. Some had to seek mental health support after suffering depression and trauma.

Reshmi GP, an LGBTQIA+ psychiatric counsellor, said that very few families are ready to listen to children when they reveal their sexuality. Others suffer stress and verbal assault and discrimination. Families are a strong influence on the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of queer persons, reported TNM.