Some educational institutions in Bengaluru have gender neutral washrooms and pride clubs, but more to go before becoming queer-friendly
The Hindu
Interactions with students, faculty members and managements from different educational institutions revealed that while a few have led the way with gender neutral washrooms, pride clubs and on-campus counsellors, others have a long way to go even with basic things like understanding pronouns.
A popular deemed-to-be university in southeast Bengaluru was recently in the news for sending a non-binary person (biologically female) home for wearing a lungi to the ethnic day celebrations on the campus. Similar dress coding instances and heteronormative culture in educational institutions begs the question of how inclusive colleges and universities in Bengaluru are, especially when it comes to the queer community.
Interactions with students, faculty members and managements of different educational institutions revealed that while a few institutions have led the way with gender neutral washrooms, pride clubs and on-campus counsellors, others have a long way to go, even with basic things like understanding pronouns.
Kiran Jeevan, Placements and Public Relations Officer, St Joseph’s University, said, “Our university is very inclusive. The preferred pronoun of every person is provided along with their programme details. We invite gay and transgender activists, and ensure that there is enough sensitisation on campus. We also have gender neutral washrooms (with no signage) on campus.”
However, there seems to be a lack of awareness about such facilities as a transfeminine person from St Joseph’s University said that she avoided drinking much water throughout the day to avoid the anxiety that comes from using the girls’ washroom on campus. “I usually wear a mask and avoid speaking when I go to the washroom. My friends, who are very supportive, accompany me,” she said.
National Law School of India University (NLSIU) and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) also said they have gender neutral washrooms on campus. They also have queer cells and clubs, which conduct various activities for the community.
Most queer students, who spoke to The Hindu, said that their friends are understanding, accepting and affirming, and that the problems mostly exists with a select few members of the faculty and management.
“There are many ups and downs when it comes to college. While friends are supportive, teachers look at you differently when you dress differently. For instance, if a guy wears a tote bag or pearl necklace or a scrunchie, then he gets judged for the same,” said a gay student from a deemed-to-be university.
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