Dilemma to conform or to come out: an in-depth exploration with sexual minority women

Sexual Minority Women (SMW) in India remain underrepresented in research and policy. Globally, coming out is considered a significant milestone among gender and sexual minority individuals, highlighting the importance of the social and psychological significance. However, there is a paucity of data on how SMW negotiate this disclosure within India. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted to understand the coming out process of SMW in India. In Maharashtra (India), a total of twenty-nine (29) interviews (19 in-depth and 10 key informant interviews) were conducted, between 23 May 2022 and 27 February 2024, which were either face-to-face or telephonic. Participants were recruited purposively through LGBTQ NGOs in which the snowball sampling method was applied. On the other hand, data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated ad verbatim into English, and analysed using NVivo14 software. Principles of the grounded theory were employed to identify themes within the narratives. ‘Hiding feelings as SMW’ captured participants’ struggles with guilt, shame, and fear of rejection, often resulting in secrecy and concealment of identity. Further, the deeply rooted cultural and patriarchal expectations constrained identity disclosure among participants. However, social support from close peers and the LGBTQ community emerged as an identity-affirming and validating factor for participants and for selective disclosure. Presence of corrective rape and treatment from a psychiatrist and family was voiced by participants when identity was disclosed or discovered. The limited impact of decriminalization of Section 377, economic dependency, and the role of social media as both affirming and risky were highlighted. ‘Coming out’ for SMW in India emerged as a continuous negotiation rather than a singular event. Hidden feelings of being an SMW, cultural pressures, and structural limitations hinder identity disclosure; support from peers, social media, and financial independence were the enabling factors. Recognizing these contexts is critical for developing queer-affirmative health, policy, and community interventions that address the invisibility of SMW in India. The impact of Section 377 decriminalization in the study shows that legal reforms and social reforms to break the patriarchal structures are essential to help SMW become visible. Furthermore, legal reform to protect SMW from family to community level is recommended.