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Election 2019: Gay Rights Activist Harish Iyer Says It’s Time For Politicians To ‘Come Out’

Gay activist-turned-politician Harish Iyer speaks on why he thinks he can make a difference in the Congress party.

Photo Courtesy: Harish Iyer
Photo Courtesy: Harish Iyer

Gay rights activist Harish Iyer, who joined the Congress recently, said the “real change” in politics will take place only when “non-heterosexuals” within parties feel safe to “come out” and speak about the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer community.

The 39-year-old equal rights activist aims to bring issues facing sexual minorities to the fore in mainstream politics, and said he can contribute beyond his gay identity.

“Gay people have an identity beyond their sexual preference,” Iyer told BloombergQuint during an interview. “I am not just an LGBT person. I am somebody who fights for child rights. I am vocal about women’s rights issue. I am extremely obsessed with animals and environment.”

Iyer hopes to establish an All India Queer Congress that could serve as a larger platform to advocate rights of sexual minorities.

If we don’t get into politics where we are writing the rules, then we have to be governed by somebody who doesn’t know about us and cannot understand difference between gay and transgender.
Harish Iyer, Gay rights activist And Congress Member

Watch the full interview with Harish Iyer here: