Queer activist Harish Iyer joined the Congress on Tuesday, formally announcing the start of his political career on Twitter.
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“I have officially joined the Congress and look forward to working with the Mumbai Congress team in weeding out homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and the politics of hate,” Mr. Iyer said.
The activist has been an advocate for equal rights, sexual abuse survivors and animal rights. Speaking to The Hindu , the 39-year-old said, “I needed a party where I can take a stand, and [one that] continues to believe in collaboration and not confrontation.” He recounted the moment he knew the Congress would be a perfect fit. “I met [Congress president] Rahul Gandhi last year and when I spoke to him, I was very critical of Section 377. He listened to me and didn’t get defensive. Instead, he said, ‘Now we are with you’.”
He said people like Shashi Tharoor and Milind Deora have been the first politicians to address issues faced by the queer community. “Priya Dutt took a stand for commercial sex workers when other people didn’t,” Mr. Iyer said.
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Talking about his role in the party, the activist said, “I’ve just become a member today and I look forward to helping Priya [Dutt] with campaigning. I’m not contesting elections, that is not part of the agenda. I have taken the plunge [because I can’t] sit on the fence any more. I am here to ensure that at least if there is even one vote to change, [I can do that].”
He hopes that one day, the party will establish an All India Queer Congress akin to the All India Mahila Congress. “I think that’s what is needed in every political party. I will be happy if the Bharatiya Janata Party or the Aam Aadmi Party has a queer wing so people can [better] understand the issues of queer people.”
During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Iyer campaigned for the Aam Aadmi Party, Mumbai, and says that he still holds the party in great stead.