Menaka Guruswamy Takes Oath as India’s First Openly Queer MP

Menaka Guruswamy has over two decades of legal work that has changed how India defines equality. On April 6, 2026, she was sworn in as India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, representing the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) from West Bengal.

Guruswamy’s appointment is particularly notable as she was the lead counsel in the Supreme Court case that decriminalized homosexuality in India by reading down Section 377 in 2018. Her swearing-in drew significant attention beyond the Rajya Sabha chamber, highlighting the ongoing evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

Born in Hyderabad in 1974, Guruswamy has an impressive academic background, having studied at the National Law School of India University, Oxford, and Harvard Law School. In 2019, she was recognized as one of the 100 most influential Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine and was also included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Her legal career includes serving as a Senior Advocate appointed by the Supreme Court of India in 2019, and she has also been a visiting faculty member at prestigious institutions such as Yale Law School, New York University School of Law, and Columbia Law School.

In her initial statements following her swearing-in, Guruswamy expressed her commitment to advancing the ideals of equality and non-discrimination in Parliament. “I hope to carry these ideals forward into Parliament,” she stated, emphasizing her dedication to the constitutional values that have guided her work.

Additionally, Guruswamy is a litigant in the ongoing case for gender-equal marriage rights in India, further underscoring her role as a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Observers note that her presence in the Rajya Sabha could lead to more robust discussions around LGBTQ+ issues and legal reforms aimed at achieving greater equality. As the political landscape evolves, many anticipate that Guruswamy will play a crucial role in shaping policies that reflect the values of inclusion and diversity.

With 19 other members sworn in on the same day, Guruswamy’s historic moment marks a significant step forward for representation in Indian politics.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific legislative initiatives she plans to pursue, but her track record suggests a strong commitment to advocacy and reform.