Purveyors of Caste Violence Cannot Be Gay Rights Champions

When queer rights organisations in Tamil Nadu listed Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss as a "champion of gay rights" for his opposition to Section 377, this piece argued that reducing queer rights to a single legislative position — while ignoring a political career built on anti-Dalit rhetoric and opposition to inter-caste marriages — is not solidarity. It is pinkwashing.

There can be no queer liberation without the annihilation of caste. The two struggles are not separate. Treating them as separate only benefits those at the top of the social ladder. Following publication, both Orinam and Pink List India revised their assessments of Ramadoss.

Originally published in Paal Puthumai, June 2020.

Read the full article here : https://www.paalputhumai.com/anbumani-ramadoss-is-not-a-gay-rights-champion/