Menaka Guruswamy becomes India’s first openly queer MP

India’s Parliament has marked a historic first Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy has taken oath as a Member of Parliament , becoming the country’s first openly queer MP.

She is widely known for her role in the Supreme Court case that led to the reading down of Section 377 in 2018, a landmark moment that decriminalised same-sex relationships in India.

In simple terms: a lawyer who fought for LGBTQ+ rights is now inside Parliament.

Guruswamy has built a strong career in constitutional law and has been involved in several high-profile legal matters before stepping into politics.

Why this matters: representation at the highest level of lawmaking can shape how policies and conversations evolve around identity, rights, and inclusion.

Subtle system angle: while this milestone signals progress, it also highlights how long structural barriers have limited LGBTQ+ representation in political power spaces.

For Gen Z, this is more than a headline it’s a shift in who gets to be visible, heard, and influential in decision-making.

From courtroom battles to Parliament, the journey reflects how change moves from law to leadership.