LGBT Inclusion in UNSDGs: Has the Situation Improved for Sexual Minorities in Indian Workplaces?

Abstract

The United Nations in 2015 proposed its central transformative promise of ensuring that all are provided with equal justice and fair treatment (UN Sustainable Development Group, n.d.). This Universal Value Principle to "Leave No-one Behind" advocates the need to look beyond genders, geography, or age and address discrimination, vulnerability, and inequalities of all forms. Sexual minorities, however, have always been overlooked when it comes to various national and international policies (Dorey). In India, the acceptance of sexual minorities has been considered poor owing to societal biases and traditional misinformation. Sexual minorities find it relatively difficult to break through these waves of biases. Speaking of the workplace, policies support LGBT employees, yet it is ineffective in helping them survive in such a competitive environment. Referring to certain goals in this context, such as goal 5 that talks about gender equality, Goal 10 that aims for inclusivity, Goal 11 aims for safety, and Goal 16 that promotes the idea of equal justice and reduction of violence, these are necessities for every sexual minority employee who earns a living in formal work settings. The sexual minorities are still facing a tough time owing to gender differences and inequality. Indian societies have miserably failed to accept them wholeheartedly, posing a considerable hurdle in UNSDGs' aim of absolute inclusivity by 2030. The authors in this article hence analyzes the situation of sexual minorities in the workplace. The article is a qualitative account presenting an in-depth analysis of experiences of sexual minorities in their workplace.