Do you think it’s easy to leave the country where you were born and raised, only to find yourself in a crowd of strangers—people you don’t know, in a culture that feels alien, speaking a language you don’t understand, and living in an environment that’s completely different from what you’ve ever known? And perhaps the most striking difference: the national flag that represents a place you no longer call home.
Many people leave their countries for reasons such as pursuing higher education, political oppression, economic opportunity, or to escape war. But why do some individuals have to flee their homeland for reasons beyond these? Yes, there are other reasons too. Some are forced to leave their beloved countries because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political ideologies, or religious beliefs. The struggles faced by these individuals remain largely untold, their voices silenced within the very countries they once called home. How many of us in the West truly understand the struggles of South Asian freethinkers, bloggers, and political activists?
Countries in South Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, have harsh legal systems that criminalize gender-diverse communities. While India decriminalized consensual gay sex in 2018, and Nepal did so in 2007, the rest of the region still punishes queer individuals severely, with penalties ranging from the death sentence to lifelong imprisonment. These laws, such as Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code—which was originally introduced by British colonial authorities—continue to criminalize sexual and gender diversity across much of South Asia. Section 377 specifically targets individuals who engage in “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” with punishment that can extend up to life imprisonment or a 10-year sentence, along with a fine.
Culturally, socially, and religiously, gender-diverse communities in these countries face rejection, isolation, stigmatization, and discrimination. Governments fail to provide any protective measures, despite being obligated to safeguard the rights of all citizens. In fact, religious and gender minorities—such as secular bloggers, atheists, agnostics, and queer individuals—are often marginalized and ignored. It’s not an exaggeration to say that in many South Asian countries, the legal system and government policies play a dual role, both protecting and persecuting their citizens.
Political parties in these regions are often heavily influenced by religious agendas. Time and again, governments kowtow to religious leaders, enabling them to exploit their power for personal gain. Meanwhile, horrifying cases of abuse, such as sexual assault by religious teachers in institutions like madrasahs or churches, are often swept under the rug, leaving the victims voiceless.
In light of these harsh realities, many individuals from underprivileged and persecuted communities, such as freethinkers and bloggers, are forced to seek refuge in Western countries—places like Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the USA, and Scandinavian nations—where they can express their beliefs and identities without fear. This year, for the first time, a South Asian group participated in the Euro Pride Parade in Stockholm, Sweden, proudly representing the queer community. Such a demonstration would have been impossible in most parts of South Asia, where the same communities continue to face severe repression. The fact that even parents joined their children in this historic moment was a deeply emotional one, bringing tears to the eyes of many. This was all made possible by the efforts of exile activists, their allies, and the liberal laws and secular societies of the West.
Yet, there are still concerns. How many more individuals must leave their own countries in search of safety? Will it ever be possible for them to find protection at home—through the law, through government action, and within a society that respects their identities and beliefs?
Stockholm, Sweden
24 August 2018
Brave Dimension Global 