India has less than 600 trans school students, shows government data
Six states and union territories have not recorded a single trans school student over the past four years.
Queer RightsQueer History
#RewindingPride
Rewinding Pride is queerbeat's social media series to document important and defining moments from India's queer past. Available soon on the website.
Support queerbeat
We are building queerbeat as the most trustworthy and independent voice about India’s LGBTQIA+ communities. We publish accurate, authoritative, and rigorously reported stories that challenge oppressive systems and help everyone understand queer lives.
But to stay bold and accountable, we need you. When you become a paying partner, you aren’t just supporting a publication, you are powering our mission to catalyse inclusive conversations across India. Become a member and get exclusive benefits in return.
Latest Posts
-
Sandip Roy 04 Feb 2026
Everything about me remains male, yet I am also female: How Chapal Bhaduri became the queen of Bengal theatre
Excerpted from the book Chapal Rani, the Last Queen of Bengal: The Life and Times of a Female Impersonator by Sandip Roy
Bodies -
Ekta Sonawane 30 Jan 2026
India’s crime data would have you believe that trans people barely face any violence—here’s why that doesn’t add up
Only 20 cases have been registered under the Trans Act between 2020 and 2023. Police bias is to blame.
Law -
Akshi Chawla 29 Jan 2026
Less than 1,500 transgender students enrolled in India’s colleges and universities
More than half of them are studying in four states.
Queer Rights -
Sayantan Datta and Pushpesh Kumar 16 Jan 2026
The meanings you miss when hijras clap
At times ritual, at times resistance—the taali is barely understood by society and hotly-debated, even by hijras
Culture -
Shamini 09 Jan 2026
I often find anger to be my strongest expression of love
Speaking to dissident artist Priyanka Paul about art and anger
Culture -
Mekhala Singhal 22 Dec 2025
You have to do your own advocacy because telling trans stories requires care
In conversation with actor, teacher, and drag artist Lauren Robinson
Culture
Explore key themes
A central idea in each story.
Must Reads
-
Sayantan Datta and Ekta Sonawane 29 Oct 2025
A trans person’s struggle for dignity doesn’t stop even when they die
An in-depth look into the deaths of two trans women–one in Kolkata and another in Goa–reveals how trans people face systemic violence in death, as they do in life
Bodies -
Diti 12 Sep 2025
The weight of masculinity is robbing trans masc persons of love
Trans masc persons struggle to be seen and desired as masculine while they resist toxic tropes. Will cishet and queer communities catch up?
Relationships -
Risha 05 Sep 2025
“I have you in me”: How my queer lover saved my life
Sometimes, love looks like someone holding your hand through a panic attack
Relationships -
Sweta Daga and Anirudh 13 Jun 2025
A breakup is threatening to transform Bengaluru Pride. What does it reveal about the queer movement?
The collective behind Bengaluru Pride has split into two factions. queerbeat examines the undercurrents that led to the split and what it reveals about the queer movement.
Queer Rights -
Sayantan Datta 23 May 2025
Why gender-neutrality won’t fix India’s broken rape laws
India’s new criminal code fails to protect LGBTQ+ folks from rape. Everybody agrees it’s a problem. Few agree on the solution. How did we get here?
Law -
Naina Bhargava 24 Jul 2024
Love and loss in Multai
Queer love is often forbidden in small town India. Two women, separated by caste, class, and religion, dared to defy the order.
Caste
Stories Within
A campaign by It’s Ok To Talk and queerbeat, featuring personal essays from young people about their experiences with queerness and mental health.
-
The Rainbow Awards for Literature & Journalism
-
The Laadli Media & Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity
-
ACJ Awards Special Mention - Social Impact Journalism