Under the Surface: Mental Health and Struggles among LGBTQ+ Communities in India and Singapore

Mental Health Musings
Written By Komal Gupta

[Content warning: This article discusses suicidal feelings, homophobia, and transphobia.]

The LGBTQ+ community in Asia stands at a complex intersection of modernity and traditions. A large number of LGBTQ+ people find themselves struggling with mental health challenges, including severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and substance use as a coping mechanism. This can largely be attributed to societal expectations, religious and cultural barriers, and the legal status of LGBTQ+ people in their countries. 

*LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term that includes all sexual orientations and gender identities other than heterosexual and cisgender. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning). The ‘+’ indicates all other expressions not included in the acronym. For the extended list of the ways people identify themselves, refer to the list here. 

Cultural and Societal Challenges for the LGBTQ+ Community in Asia

Being open about one’s sexuality can be extremely difficult in Asian countries like India and Singapore. People here may still have a stereotypical narrative when it comes to sexuality, though a slow change can be observed in other parts of Asia with countries legalising same-sex marriage (e.g Taiwan, Nepal, Thailand). 

Marriage is especially deep-rooted in the culture of a country like India where having a kid is considered necessary to carry on the family name. The older generation believes that it is only acceptable and right for a cis man and woman to be in a relationship, thus questioning the existence of any other sexual orientation or gender identity. Moreover, in a region deeply rooted in diverse religious traditions, some LGBTQ+ individuals may experience psychological distress due to teachings or beliefs within certain religious communities. For instance, in parts of Southeast Asia, some Christian churches uphold traditional doctrines that do not affirm same-sex relationships or non-binary identities, which can create feelings of exclusion or conflict for those seeking acceptance.

Coming out as gay in Indian households can be daunting, with parents trying to “cure the illness” and some even saying their child “has been invaded by a male spirit” (Sky News, 2023). Anjana Hareesh, a then 21-year-old student came out to her family as bisexual. The family allegedly forced her into ‘conversion therapy’ (an unacceptable practice in psychiatric disciplines in India, to change people’s sexual orientation or gender identity). In a video interview, she claimed how she was forcibly taken by her family to de-addiction centres, without her consent, and put on heavy medications (Cris, 2020).

The lack of acceptance and visibility can take a toll, with many LGBTQ+ people who end up battling with severe depression, and low self-confidence. This is reflected in the alarming statistics: Up to 52% of MSMs (Men who have sex with men) in India have experienced some form of mental illness, with over 12% facing severe depression in the past twelve months (Impri & Singh, 2023).

Mental Health Impacts on LGBTQ+ Individuals

It is important to note that identifying as LGBTQ+ is not a mental health condition or an illness. It is just a part of who you are and not a choice. 

For teens who are just starting to identify the signs indicating a different sexual orientation (other than being attracted to the opposite sex, or identifying the same as their biological sex), navigating through the whirlpool of emotions can be incredibly difficult. It’s also likely that a person tries to conceal their newly found identity and force themselves to think otherwise, indulging in self-harm behaviours.

In the Indian context, 3 out of every 4 LGBT individuals still feel the need to keep their identity hidden (Impri & Singh, 2023). They might experience shame, fear of ‘being found out’ or rejection, loneliness, social isolation, homophobia or transphobia, physical or mental abuse, and bullying. This makes it difficult for them to accept themselves, “come out”, and be unapologetically themselves. At times, they are forced to ‘come out’ while transitioning. This can take a heavy toll on one’s mental health because the person is still trying to adjust to their new identity. They are made to feel “abnormal”. In such cases, they are more prone to develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Many of them suffer in silence. Up to three-quarters of self-identified bisexual males in India are married heterosexually (Impri & Singh, 2023), potentially due to societal and familial pressure to keep their sexual orientation hidden.

Transgender people in India face particularly significant challenges, despite the country’s vast transgender population of approximately (around 487,000 people) as recorded in the 2011 census. This sizeable community, officially recognised as a third gender, is disproportionately affected by severe mental health issues. For instance:

  • Transgender adolescents reported the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts among all population groups in India, with one in every three attempting suicide in the past twelve months (Impri & Singh, 2023). 

  • Additionally, frequent alcohol consumption is estimated to range from 17-20% among MSMs (men who have sex with men) and up to 40% among transgenders, with recreational polysubstance use exceeding 9% (Impri & Singh, 2023).

In Singapore, transgender individuals face similar struggles and misconceptions about their identities. Acceptance remains limited, with many still facing rejection from family and peers. 

For Ilyas, coming out as transgender wasn’t well received by his mother. Even now, she tells him how sad it makes her to see him presenting as someone she feels is “not himself” when they meet (Heckin’ Unicorn, 2023). Whereas, for Elijah, it took time for their mother to accept their bisexual identity. Initially, she responded with “No, you’re still young. You don’t know anything yet. What am I supposed to tell our relatives? What will they think? Don’t tell anyone about this!.” Despite these challenges, she has since expressed support for Elijah’s advocacy work (Heckin’ Unicorn, 2023).

In Singapore, the 2024 Pink Dot-Milieu Survey (Pink Dot SG, 2024) revealed that 60% of LGBTQ+ report that discrimination has had a negative impact on their mental health. For transgender Singaporeans, the situation is more dire, with 8 in 10 (83%) experiencing direct discrimination in the past five years. This includes painful experiences such as rejection by family or friends (50%), being targeted with slurs or jokes (46%), and being threatened or physically attacked (21%). These ongoing challenges contribute to a deep sense of uncertainty, as only 23% of LGBTQ+ individuals feel confident about their future in Singapore, compared to 43% of cisgender heterosexual Singaporeans. 

Moreover, a Safe Space study (2022) [surveyed 100 respondents (86% living in Singapore, 14% from S.E.A), 12 interviews with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, including 5 Safe Space therapists], emphasised the social exclusion faced by this community.

A significant portion of respondents (63%) were subjected to gender bias or stereotypes, and 44% felt socially excluded. Additionally, around 33% of LGBTQ+ individuals remain closeted to their families due to fears of rejection and the potential instability (loss of home). These factors underscore the severe mental health risks that discrimination and societal rejection pose to LGBTQ+ people, affecting their well-being and sense of belonging.

LGBTQ+ individuals may also find it difficult to get work opportunities due to discrimination, such as bias during hiring processes, general transphobia, or workplace harassment. In a survey, among those who provided comments, seven participants reported facing employment barriers due to employers holding preconceived notions about the worth and abilities of transgender individuals (Byrne et al., 2020). However, some progress is being made, as inclusion and diversity are increasingly becoming a focus in corporate policies, aiming to create more equitable environments.

Progress and the Path Forward

Legalising same-sex marriage or marriage neutrality can be beneficial for LGBTQ+ mental health. The findings of a study presented that same-sex marriage might be positively associated with psychological well-being in lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons (Wight et al., 2013). In 2018, India's Supreme Court ruled that gay sex is no longer a criminal offence. Similarly, in 2022, Singapore’s parliament repealed Section 377A, a colonial-era law that criminalised sexual acts between men meaning that consensual gay sex would no longer be illegal. There has been a slight increase in the general acceptance of gay men since then. Advocacy groups and activists remain optimistic, pointing to a rise in LGBTQ-friendly businesses, greater community representation in media, and government initiatives aimed at reducing workplace discrimination against queer individuals and couples (Lim, 2024). 

Organising and participating in Pride events can help bring the LGBTQ+ community together, providing them a safe space. Thousands of people have begun joining and celebrating the pride parade affirming their support for the LGBTQ+. Pink Dot and Pink Fest in Singapore; Delhi Queer Pride Committee and Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk in India celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ+ Representation in Asian Media

Media representation of LGBTQ+ has also slightly increased. Seeing characters that LGBTQ+ people identify with can help them feel ‘represented,’ ‘seen,’ and give them the courage to be themselves. Queer characters are slowly taking on more prominent roles on Indian screens. Recent titles Badhaai Do and Made In Heaven exemplify this shift. Still, India has a long way ahead. 

“We are not there yet [at the level of world cinema or Hollywood], where we can do a Brokeback Mountain or a Call Me by Your Name. We can’t compare ourselves to other countries because the feudal elements in our society are still strong,” 

  • says the director of the New York Indian Film Festival, Aseem Chhabra

    (Muyiwa, 2024).

Although the Singaporean LGBTQ+ community is also increasingly represented in mainstream media, much of this portrayal still leans on stereotypes or comedic tropes. This has resulted in a skewed representation that often misrepresents the community’s true experiences (Safe Space™, 2022). 

In a conversation with Time Out Singapore, Lewis, a queer musician from Singapore said:

“I know that there are people who are queer who don’t feel supported, and so I’m hoping that if they see other people like them represented in the media, they feel less alone and ashamed.”

  • Lewis Loh (Sekkappan, 2024)

The SG Boys is a podcast where LGBTQ+ Singaporeans share heartfelt stories of love, loss, friendship, and family, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and experiences.

Queering Desi is a podcast hosted by Priya Arora. It’s all about the South Asian queer community and talks about their art, and experiences. 

Resources for the LGBTQ+ community in Asia

Though resources for LGBTQ+ are limited, there are a growing number of organisations that provide counselling and open spaces to organise events for the community:

Singapore

  • T Project is Singapore's first and only shelter for the homeless transgender community. They also provide professional counselling and organize Sensitivity workshops. 

  • Inter-university LGBT Network is a network connecting organizations within Singapore universities to work together in creating safer and more inclusive campus communities for individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. 

  • Oogachaga is a community-focused, non-profit professional organization supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples, and families in Singapore. 

  • Proud Spaces offers safe and inclusive spaces for Singapore's LGBTQ+ community and allies to come together, collaborate, and host events. 

India

  • New Delhi LGBTQIA+ Centre  A wellness, cultural, and outreach center in New Delhi dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. This centre offers counselling rooms, a doctor’s office, a library with a reading area, an event space, and an art gallery.

Asia-wide

  • Queer Muslim Project is a digital and cultural platform, amplifying queer, Muslim, and allied voices, and fostering a global community of over 70,000 members. Through art, culture, media, and storytelling, the project challenges harmful stereotypes and social norms, empowering underserved LGBTQIA+ artists, storytellers, and communities to build visibility and take ownership of their narratives.  

Despite the limited support, LGBTQ+ people across Asia are starting to break down barriers and embrace their true selves.

For LGBTQ+ individuals reading this article: Remember — You are not alone. Try connecting with people who share similar values. If needed, seek professional help. 

References:

Komal Gupta
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