Premium Content:

Could Menaka Guruswamy become India’s first out and proud MP?

As a lawyer Menaka Guruswamy was heavily involved in the court case that led to India decriminalizing homosexuality in 2018, now she’s begun a journey that might see her become the country’s first out and proud MP.

The Hindu has shared that the ruling Tiramool Congress has announced four candidates for the upcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha – Indian parliamentary upper house. They include former Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, actor Koel Mallick, state minister Babul Supriyo and lawyer Menaka Guruswamy.

- Advertisement -
Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju attend the TIME 100 Gala 2019 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Photographed by Lev Radin / Shutterstock.

Election for the Rajya Sabha will take place from this month through to November. 72 of the 245 positions are up for election with those successful being appointed for a six year term. The representatives are elected by the members of the state legislative assemblies.

 Guruswamy was designated Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India in 2019. She has also worked as an academic teaching at Columbia Law School in New York and serving as a visiting academic at Yale Law School, University of Toronto, and New York University School of Law.

In 2019, she was included on the Time 100, Time‘s list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside colleague Arundhati Katju.

Latest

40 years ago Samantha Fox burst on to the music scene

Double demin, big hair and a provocative title of 'Touch Me'

On This Gay Day | AIDS activist organisation ACT UP formed

ACT UP grew out of activist Larry Kramer's frustration with the lack of action on tackling the AIDS crisis.

Pixar executive admits they cut suggestions that Elio could be queer

PIxar has defended the move saying it may have led to challenging conversations for parents.

UK pauses new prescriptions for cross-sex hormones for people under 18

The National Health Service said there was weak evidence on the benefits and risks of the treatment.

Newsletter

Don't miss

40 years ago Samantha Fox burst on to the music scene

Double demin, big hair and a provocative title of 'Touch Me'

On This Gay Day | AIDS activist organisation ACT UP formed

ACT UP grew out of activist Larry Kramer's frustration with the lack of action on tackling the AIDS crisis.

Pixar executive admits they cut suggestions that Elio could be queer

PIxar has defended the move saying it may have led to challenging conversations for parents.

UK pauses new prescriptions for cross-sex hormones for people under 18

The National Health Service said there was weak evidence on the benefits and risks of the treatment.

Christian Lobby warns of “unintended consequences” in conversion therapy ban

Brian Greig from Just.Equal on moves to water down conversion therapy bans.

40 years ago Samantha Fox burst on to the music scene

Double demin, big hair and a provocative title of 'Touch Me'

On This Gay Day | AIDS activist organisation ACT UP formed

ACT UP grew out of activist Larry Kramer's frustration with the lack of action on tackling the AIDS crisis.

Pixar executive admits they cut suggestions that Elio could be queer

PIxar has defended the move saying it may have led to challenging conversations for parents.