Myths and facts

Ask a straight person when they chose to be straight. Twin and genetic studies show biology plays a major role, and upbringing almost none. People choose whether to hide their feelings, never whether they have them.

WHO, the American Psychiatric Association and the Indian Psychiatric Society all reject this. Higher depression rates among queer people are linked to stigma and rejection, not orientation itself.

There is nothing to cure. Change attempts don't work and are linked to higher suicide attempts. In India, doctors who practise conversion therapy face professional misconduct action.

The law against it was the import, brought by the British in 1861. India's epics, temples and hijra communities show diversity going back centuries.

Same-sex behaviour is recorded in hundreds of species and in every human society studied.

Shared family environment explained almost nothing in twin studies. Visibility helps queer kids feel safe; it doesn't create them.

Bisexuality is a stable orientation in its own right, not indecision.

Indian courts have recognised trans people since 2014, and hijra communities have existed for centuries. No one takes on that much discrimination as a fashion.

Studies of children raised by same-sex parents generally find they do as well as other children. What matters is a loving, stable home.

For some people identity evolves; for most, orientation is stable. Either way, the feelings are real and deserve respect.

Research finds no link between sexual orientation and child abuse. This myth has been used for decades to justify discrimination.

Because someone you love is probably queer and hasn't felt safe telling you. How you talk about this now decides whether they ever will.