Social media has emerged as an important platform for India's third gender and LGBTQ+ communities, providing opportunities for self-expression, community building, and greater visibility. For many individuals, digital platforms have created spaces where they can connect with others, share experiences, and find support that may not always be available offline. However, as visibility grows, so does the importance of ensuring safety and dignity in online spaces.
While India does not have an official consolidated estimate of its LGBTQ+ population, various international organisations and civil society groups suggest that nearly 7 to 14 crore Indians may belong to the LGBTQ+ spectrum. In comparison, the Census of India 2011 recorded approximately 4.9 lakh individuals under the "third gender" category, highlighting the continuing challenges associated with social acceptance and self-identification.
Despite the opportunities offered by digital platforms, members of the third gender and LGBTQ+ communities often encounter online harassment, hate speech, cyberbullying, and identity-based discrimination. Many individuals remain cautious about openly expressing their identities online due to concerns about social stigma, privacy, and potential personal consequences. For transgender persons, these concerns can be even more pronounced.
Such experiences remind us that digital inclusion is not only about access to technology but also about creating an environment where individuals feel safe, respected, and heard. Visibility can be empowering, but its true value is realised only when it is accompanied by security and acceptance.
As India's digital ecosystem continues to expand, promoting responsible online behaviour becomes increasingly important. Social media platforms, educational institutions, community organisations, and users all have a role to play in fostering respectful and inclusive digital interactions. Encouraging empathy, challenging stereotypes, and promoting awareness can help create online spaces that are more welcoming for everyone.
The responsibility for building a safer digital environment is a shared one. Technology can provide platforms for connection, but society must provide the values that guide their use. Respect for diversity, dignity, and equality should remain central to our digital future.
For India's third gender and LGBTQ+ communities, progress will not be measured solely by increased visibility, but by the confidence to participate, express themselves, and engage online without fear. Moving beyond visibility towards digital safety is therefore not only a technological objective but also a social responsibility.
Vikas Dhar Dwivedi
Executive (CC), NTPC
Research Scholar, IIT Patna–Lincoln University College, Malaysia
vikas_pa2521phd86@iitp.ac.in
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