Menaka Guruswamy, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India, has created history by becoming India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament after taking oath in the Rajya Sabha. Her election marks a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Indian politics and governance.
She was elected to Rajya Sabha as a candidate of All India Trinamool Congress and represents the state of West Bengal. Her step symbolises growing inclusivity and representation in Indian democracy and represents a major step towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in governance
Menaka Guruswamy
Legal and Professional Background
- Renowned constitutional law expert and senior advocate
- Known for advocacy on:
- Civil liberties
- Fundamental rights
- LGBTQ+ equality
Landmark Contribution
- Key lawyer in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India
- This judgment led to:
- Decriminalisation of homosexuality in India (2018)
- Reading down of Section 377 IPC
Academic & Global Recognition
- Featured in Foreign Policy’s 100 Global Thinkers (2019)
- Portrait unveiled at Rhodes House, University of Oxford (2017)
- Education:
- University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar)
- Harvard Law School (Gammon Fellow)
- National Law School of India University
- Academic roles at:
- Yale Law School
- New York University School of Law
- University of Toronto Faculty of Law
- Columbia Law School (B.R. Ambedkar Research Scholar, 2017–19)