This Election, Find Out Which Candidates Support The LGBTQ With This Guide From Pink List

The General Elections of 2019 may well be the most critical election India has seen in the recent past. During the campaigning season that led to the voting months, many party candidates took to social media to voice their opinions and promises. In the midst of long-winded twitter feuds and heated living room debates, one question became increasingly important: am I voting for the right candidate? Does he or she advocate for the values I support? How do I find out?

The Pink List has bridged this gap. Created jointly by Anish Gawande, journalist Devina Buckshee and designer Smriti Deora, the Pink List is a portal that offers a guide to all the candidates contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections who have come out in support of the LGBTQ in their political work. As the website says,

“We’ve been calling out homophobic MPs for a while. And we will continue to do so. But we must also recognize efforts of those (across parties) who stand up for queer and trans rights.

Not just reward superstars, but also cultivate those who are queer and trans-inclusive. Support LGBTQ+ candidates running for elections by giving them a platform to be heard.”

The website divides these candidates into five categories, giving a small introduction for each candidate and the constituency that he or she is standing from. The trailblazers – which includes Kerala’s Ashwathi Rajappam and Prayagraj’s Chirpi Bhawani – are candidates who are a part of the LGBTQ community and represent the community directly in the Lok Sabha. The superheroes are a group of people who have implemented policy changes and stood unequivocally in support of the queer community. Similarly, heroes and allies offer an entire list of candidates who have silently supported the community in the Lok Sabha in some capacity or the other.

Pink List’s comprehensive guide acts as an excellent starting point for voters who prioritize the voice of the LGBTQ community in their leaders. However, as the founders emphasize, it is but a starting point: make sure to look up the candidates’ stance on other important issues, too. In an age where its easy for social media banter to cloud our decisions, Pink List’s straightforward, unbiased list is a breath of fresh air. Check it out here!

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