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Title: Beyond the Binary: LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Genre Literature
Authors: Kamya Jain
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Kamya Jain The British School
MLA 8 Jain, Kamya. "Beyond the Binary: LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Genre Literature." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 10, no. 1, Jan. 2025, pp. 382-389, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i01.021. Accessed Jan. 2025. APA 6 Jain, K. (2025, January). Beyond the Binary: LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Genre Literature. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 10(1), 382-389. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i01.021 Chicago Jain, Kamya. "Beyond the Binary: LGBTQ+ Representation in Indian Genre Literature." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 10, no. 1 (January 2025), 382-389. Accessed January, 2025. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i01.021.
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ABSTRACT: Pushing the boundaries, confronting difficult situations and challenging readers to take a long, hard look at the reality of minorities like the LGBTQ+ community and their lives is the primary aim of queer Indian literature writers. It has not been an easy task, moving away from the imposed, harsh morals of colonialism, but there has been substantial evidence that telling these stories is vital, and reading them is just as important. This paper explores the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in Indian literature, tracing its origins back to the Vedas and Puranas and its evolution to contemporary narratives. It examines the cultural and social impacts of queer literature and how it has helped shape a new, more visible, more inclusive LGBTQ+ identity. Over time, Indian queer literature has challenged heteronormative ideals and reflected the complexities of gender and sexuality, transforming the image of the LGBTQ+ community and fostering acceptance.

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