ROLE OF LGBTQIA AND THEIR RIGHTS IN INDIA

This paper explores the evolution of LGBTQIA+ rights in India, focusing heavily on the intersection of legal advocacy, socio-cultural transformation, and the strategic deployment of Public Relations (PR) and communication frameworks. Historically marginalized under colonialera laws, the queer community in India has witnessed a dramatic shift over the last two decades, culminating in the landmark Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India verdict in 2018. However, legal de-criminalization has not automatically translated into absolute social acceptance or systemic equity. This study examines how PR strategies—ranging from grassroots digital activism and corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) campaigns to mainstream media representation—have acted as catalysts for shifting public perception, influencing policy, and fostering workplace inclusivity. Through a critical analysis of ongoing challenges, including the rejection of marriage equality by the Supreme Court in 2023, this paper provides a strategic framework for how PR practitioners, human rights organizations, and corporate leaders can collaborate to build sustained, authentic acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community in India.