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Time of India

Campuses in Coastal K'taka embrace LGBTQ+ students

Representative Image MANGALURU: Academic institutions along the coast of Karnataka have made significant strides toward LGBTQ+ inclusion. These institutions are increasingly opening their doors to create more inclusive academic spaces, a development welcomed by many. Some institutions have established dedicated LGBTQ+ associations, while others actively support the community through various events and awareness programmes. This progressive shift across the education system marks an important movement in fostering diversity and acceptance within academia. "Our campuses have been supportive of LGBTQ, including the student council. Currently, numbers from the community are low at Mangaluru campus, and we are ready to help them form a group," said Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru. Sandra Sunitha Lobo, professor in Psychology department, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, said their campus has been LGBTQ inclusive for a very long time. "Students have been given the opportunity to express their identity and support those coming out. However, we ask them to be mindful of their classmates who are sensitive about it, or are unaware of their identity," she said, adding that they hold special events as part of the Pride Month, observed in June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo A postgraduate medical student who is from the LGBTQ community, and is studying at a college near Derlakatte shared that over the years, the narrative and how individuals look at us has changed. "There is more awareness, and people have stopped being judgemental about the queer community. Compared to the older generation, the younger generation is more accepting as they are better informed through social media and through their peers," said the student who was studying in Mangaluru for the past seven years. Campuses are not just being inclusive towards the community, they are even supporting research in the areas pertaining to the community. Dr B Reshmi, associate dean and professor of health information management, Manipal College of Health Professions, said that currently, two funded research projects are being undertaken. These projects aim to address the healthcare facilities and the needs of the community, and also determine the approach healthcare workers should take towards the community members in a medical setting.