Amara Das Wilhelm, a Hindu priest and founder of the LGBTQ+ religious organization GALVA-108, argues that understanding the queer history of Hinduism provides a “sword of knowledge” to combat modern anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Wilhelm contends that Vedic literature offers a fundamentally different perspective from Abrahamic traditions, which are often cited by conservatives to marginalize queer individuals. He points to the Vedic acknowledgement of a “third sex”—a concept rooted in the idea that God is untethered by binary gender—as evidence that sex- and gender-variant people have historically been recognized within Hindu society.
He traces contemporary negative attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in India not to ancient scripture, but to the influence of foreign rule, including Islamic and later British colonial laws. By highlighting scriptural examples of gender variance and emphasizing the Hindu principle of compassion, Wilhelm seeks to dispel the misconception that queer identity is inherently “unnatural” or “demonic.” Ultimately, he advises LGBTQ+ individuals to confront modern hostility by arming themselves with this spiritual knowledge, fostering positive community, and focusing on the inclusive, compassionate tenets of their faith.
