From oppressive to affirmative: Situating the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ people as impacted by systemic and structural transitions in Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, and India

Inequity in health and well-being is driven by systemic, political, and structural forces that, along with social factors, influence the allocation, access, and impact of health resources across communities based on religion, gender, caste, sexuality, and ability. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, and plus (LGBTIQ+) communities, marginalized for subverting cis-gender norms, face heightened risks of poor health, well-being, and limited psycho-social, medical, and legal support. Understanding the challenges and triumphs of LGBTIQ+ individuals navigating oppressive and discriminatory legal, social, and structural forces can significantly contribute to improving their health and well-being. Additionally, such insights can inform public policy and legal structures to be more inclusive. This paper offers a commentary on the health and psycho-social well-being of LGBTIQ+ individuals, focusing on the systemic transitions in Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, and India. The unique, intersectional identities of queer individuals make them particularly vulnerable to stigma and discrimination. While Pakistan has laws to protect transgender rights and India has decriminalized same-sex behavior, LGBTIQ+ individuals in these countries still face discrimination in housing, careers, and healthcare, similar to the experiences in Turkey and Russia, where no legal protections exist. The paper emphasizes the need to view queer experiences through an intersectional lens, acknowledging that advancements in one area alone may not suffice to transform their experiences from marginalization to inclusion.