KARTIK at 23:09, 30 March 2026

2026-03-30T23:09:37Z

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{{Short description|Overview of LGBTQ rights in the Indian state of Goa}}
{{Infobox LGBT rights
| location_header = Goa
| image = File:IN-GA.svg
| caption = [[Goa]]
| legal_status = Legal since 2018
| gender_identity_expression = [[Third gender]] recognised; transgender people may change legal gender (with restrictions)
| recognition_of_relationships = No recognition of same-sex relationships (cohabitation protected)
| recognition_of_relationships_restrictions = Defined as opposite-sex under Goa Civil Code
| adoption = No
| military =
| discrimination_protections = Gender identity protected under federal law (Transgender Persons Act); no state-level protections for sexual orientation
}}

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in [[Goa]] are governed primarily by federal Indian law, such as the 2018 decriminalisation of same‑sex activity (''[[Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India]]'') and the 2014 legal recognition of transgender identity (''[[National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India|NALSA v. Union of India]]''), while state-level protections remain limited. Despite this, Goa is portrayed in the media as one of India’s more tolerant regions for LGBTQ people.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Gama |first=Danuska Da |date=2025-07-03 |title=Goa's queer scene is growing deeper roots |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/lifestyle/goas-queer-scene-is-growing-deeper-roots |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Goa Travel News on Gomantak Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Historical context ==
In 1989, [[Dominic D'Souza|Dominic D’Souza]] was forcibly quarantined under Goa’s Public Health Act after testing HIV-positive. His legal fight became the first documented case of HIV rights activism in Goa. Although D'Souza never claimed to be gay, gay rights activists across India then used his cause to promote queer activism.<ref name="Scroll"> {{cite web| date=27 May 2021| title=40 years after AIDS, remembering Dominic D’Souza, the first Indian diagnosed with HIV infection| url=https://scroll.in/article/995839/40-years-after-aids-remembering-dominic-dsouza-the-first-indian-diagnosed-with-hiv-infection}}</ref>

In January 2015, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister [[Ramesh Tawadkar]] proposed setting up treatment centres to "cure" LGBT youth, drawing severe criticism nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhalla |first=Nita |date=2015-01-13 |title=Goa slams plan for centres to make LGBT youths "normal" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/goa-slams-plan-for-centres-to-make-lgbt-youths-normal-idUSKBN0KM17J/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="TOI2">{{cite web|title=Goa CM calls homosexuality 'natural quality'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goa-cm-calls-homosexuality-natural-quality/articleshow/45877667.cms|website=Times of India|date=14 January 2015}}</ref> The Chief Minister at the time, [[Laxmikant Parsekar]], later clarified that homosexuality was a "natural quality" and distanced the government from Tawadkar’s comments.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ndtv.com/videos/homosexuality-a-natural-gift-goa-chief-minister-s-counter-to-minister-s-gaffe-352175 |title=Video {{!}} 'Homosexuality a Natural Gift': Goa Chief Minister's Counter to Minister's Gaffe |language=en |access-date=2025-07-16 |via=www.ndtv.com}}</ref>

In 2023, following the Supreme Court’s decision not to legalise same-sex marriage, Indian activists based in Goa urged the state government to take legislative steps but no bills have yet been introduced.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Goa trust speaks up for rights of state's 10,000-strong LGBT community |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/goa-trust-speaks-up-for-rights-of-state-s-10-000-strong-lgbt-community-123042300196_1.html |access-date=16 July 2025 |work=Business Standard}}</ref>

== Recognition of relationships ==
{{See Also|Recognition of same-sex unions in Goa}}
Goa applies the [[Goa Civil Code]], which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. There is no legal recognition for same-sex marriages or civil unions. However, in 2023, the Supreme Court noted that same-sex couples have the right to cohabit and enjoy some protections under law.<ref name=Equaldex>{{Cite web|url=https://www.equaldex.com/region/goa|title = LGBT Rights in Goa|access-date =30 July 2024}}</ref>

== Discrimination protections ==
There are currently no state-level anti-discrimination laws protecting sexual orientation or gender identity in Goa. Federal law under the Transgender Persons Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, but not sexual orientation.<ref name=Equaldex/>

== Societal attitudes ==
According to a 2018 study by the Goa Livelihoods Forum, 63% of LGBTQ individuals reported workplace verbal abuse, and 87% of transgender respondents dropped out of school due to harassment.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite web |date=10 November 2018 |title=Not a rainbow story for LGBTQ community in Goa |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/not-a-rainbow-story-for-lgbtq-community-in-goa/article25465029.ece |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

However, Goa is perceived as more tolerant than many other Indian states, especially in tourist areas, with many LGBTQ individuals reporting neutral to positive experiences compared to other states of India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Doctor |first=Vikram |date=2022-08-28 |title=A history of how Goa overcame prejudice to open its arms to the queer community |url=https://scroll.in/article/1031316/a-history-of-how-goa-overcame-prejudice-to-open-its-arms-to-the-queer-community |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref> There has also been an increase in the number of gay marriages performed in the State, although these ceremonies have no legal validity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gay marriages on the rise in Goa |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/gay-marriages-on-the-rise-in-goa-244964.html |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

== Activism and community ==
* The ''Goa Rainbow Trust'', established in 2018, provides mental health support, advocacy, and community outreach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-11-25 |title=Goa's LGBTQ community gets its own trust |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goas-lgbtq-community-gets-its-own-trust/articleshow/66790315.cms |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* ''Rainbow Pride- [[Pride De Goa]]'' walks have been held in Panaji from 2017 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-10-29 |title=A walk to remember for the LGBT community |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/a-walk-to-remember-for-the-lgbt-community/articleshow/61313127.cms |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* The ''Humsaath Trust'', as of 2023, supports over 10,000 LGBTQ individuals in the state and has advocated for legal protections and employment rights.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
* [[LGBT rights in India]]
* [[LGBTQ rights in Tamil Nadu|LGBT rights in Tamil Nadu]]
* [[LGBTQ rights in Karnataka]]
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in India]]

== References ==
<references />

{{LGBTQ in India}}

[[Category:LGBTQ rights in India by state]]
[[Category:Society of Goa]]
[[Category:LGBTQ history in India]]

LGBTQ rights in Goa - Revision history

KARTIK at 23:09, 30 March 2026