Psychosocial Needs of LGBTQ+ and Gender-Nonconforming Juveniles in India: A Data-Driven Perspective on Inclusion, Law, and Mental Health

Abstract

The research discusses the psychosocial needs of LGBTQ + and gender-nonconforming (GNC) juveniles in the Indian juvenile justice system and how vulnerability is intensified by institutional silence, social stigma, and a lack of gender-affirmative systems. The chapter basing on the national data, reports of the NGOs, and conceptual frameworks within minority stress theory and developmental psychology provides the dual approach qualitative-quantitative. It employs the statistic comparisons as the ratios of suicide attempts, chances to become homeless, chances to be abused in an institution, showing the increased risks of LGBTQ+/GNC juveniles in comparison with their cisgender, heterosexual peers. The highlights of this research show that the queer young people in India have a higher chance of suicidal thoughts with nine out of ten facing it compared to three out of ten who are non-queer in the country, and experiencing police harassment or family rejection, which is twice higher at 28 percent when compared to queer youngsters. It is a critical review chapter of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, its lack of inclusion to sexual and gender minorities, and it offers evidence-based solutions on legal reform, the institutional training of people, and psychosocial rehabilitation in respect of the same. Instead of the current punitive approach, the analysis is demanding that everything must change into an inclusive, trauma-informed system that is appreciative of identity-based damage. The piece merits being part of the discussion of knowledge of intersectional child protection by basing the psychosocial development process in legal and mathematical ties.