When 2025 began, it seemed that after decades of the fight for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people, things were moving in the right direction. Many people were settling into happy living room conversations on inclusive workspaces and sharing reels on same-sex weddings. Then, in January 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the President of the USA and within hours put out executive orders curtailing the identity and rights of transgender persons. The repercussions were felt across the world.

In March 2025, Hungary passed a law restricting the freedom of assembly by queer people. The next month, the Supreme Court of the UK added more stress to transgender lives with its ruling on the clarification of what is meant by ‘biological sex’ in the Equality Act 2010. In India, review petitions seeking to change the 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court of India on marriage equality were dismissed.

One could sense the palpable fear and anxiety among queer people and their families, but that was not the end of it. Then came Trump’s hit on the diversity-equity-inclusion commitments and how fast many corporates capitulated to the bullying. The sense of doom and the fear of the possibility of going back into the closet was on everyone’s mind. Panic gripped many in the LGBTIQA+ communities, and confusion arose among queer youth.

Slowly, voices of resistance emerged – firm and with clarity. In the USA, leaders like the California Governor, Gavin Newsom, stood up. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont actively invited the queer, and especially the transgender communities to the state if they were in any danger. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson loudly and firmly affirmed support for transgender and queer persons. The public poured onto the streets of Budapest for the queer pride walk in June 2025, defying arrests. The Madras High Court in India ruled in May 2025 that same-sex couples can form families, upholding dignity and personal liberty in these cases.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many queer community spaces had gone online, and the focus had shifted to more individualistic interests. Now the panic-stricken community felt the need to connect face to face. The need to understand how to cope became urgent. A movement of solidarity emerged and gave new impetus to all. The realization that we cannot take any progress for granted, and that rights have to be continuously protected, became evident. Voices and protests in all forms – inter-group and even inter-country solidarity –became louder. This was the most beautiful inflection point in 2025.

The sheer determination to stand up against hatred and divisiveness grew stronger. Queer folks refused to be erased. Slowly, more news started filtering in. Colombia came up with an integrated LGBTIQA+ policy with a national 10-year roadmap. Thailand recognized same-sex marriage, and more recently, in November 2025, the European Court of Justice ruled that same-sex marriages must be recognized across all the member states. Numerous legal cases were raised in Indian courts as well to demand rights by activists.

At The Rainbow Room, Kolkata, we noticed how fear, worry, and anxiety in the community slowly shifted towards a more proactive desire to stay connected and feel safe. We saw more interaction between members. We found strength in each other and learned from queer histories. Hope found its path into the community psyche. In 2025, participation in the ‘Pride Pop-Up’ grew from five entrepreneurs in 2024 to 17. The coming together of the triad model of conversation between the members of Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents, psychologists, and parents of queer persons showed remarkable results in moving the needle towards better familial understanding and support in multiple cases.

I watched with awe as many youngsters, like Rit, took on leadership roles and were unafraid to be out in public, living life authentically, using social media to sometimes teach, sometimes tease, and at other times claim space. Some queer pride walks in India were banned or cancelled under threat, but at the same time, many other walks emerged in smaller cities. Alternate queer media like Queerbeat and Yes, We Exist gained traction as sources of information when regular media ignored or devalued us.

The start of the year drove home the point that despite legal advances, public attitudes and shifting political discourse can quickly pull the rug out from under our feet. We dug deep into queer histories and struggles, and realized that without belonging and shared action, we cannot push forward. The year showed that no matter what, queer liberation will continue, as queer people will regroup, recalibrate, reorganize, and keep resisting.

Driven by the relentless pursuit of a better future, collective determination brought together members across the spectrum. ‘No freedom is guaranteed unless all are free’ is now more deeply felt. I am excited and feel that we are sitting on the cusp of yet another revolution. There is strong belief and confidence within the community; they know they deserve their space. There is a fire burning – not a reckless wildfire, but a carefully planned, controlled one – knowing this is a long war to fight.

There are celebrations of queer and trans joy, almost to defy the powers that be. The sheer, ruthless negation from the ruling dispensation has been noticed, and I observe more voluntary participation from allies seeking to understand the struggles of the queer community. Maybe the start of 2025 was a blessing in disguise, jolting us out of complacency and bringing us together as a community.

As the famous psychiatrist M. Scott Peck said, “There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.”

I see hope. And hope is the life force of any community.

About the main photo: A scene from ‘Budapest Pride 2025’. Photo credit: European Greens – Andras Mayer sourced from Wikimedia Commons

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