A preliminary survey of LGBTQIA+, hijra, and gender-diverse people in Bangladesh shows that many voters approached the 13th National Parliamentary Election as a survival decision rather than a hopeful political choice. The study, conducted by the Center for Diversity Studies Asia, found that a large portion of respondents viewed voting as selecting the “less harmful option,” reflecting deep distrust in all major political forces.
Among 120 participants, 46.7% said they supported BNP, while 31.2% said they would not vote at all. Non-voting was often linked to structural barriers such as problems with National ID cards for transgender people, fear of harassment at polling stations, or lack of any suitable candidate. Opinions on the referendum were sharply divided, with 52.6% planning to vote “No” and 47.5% “Yes.”
Safety emerged as the most urgent concern. Respondents reported fear of mob attacks, repression, violence, and discrimination, with many stating that their primary expectation from the next government is simply the right to live safely. Some expressed extreme distress, including mental-health crises and suicidal thoughts, highlighting the severity of insecurity faced by gender-diverse communities.
Participants also called for legal recognition, anti-discrimination protections, access to healthcare, including gender-affirming care, and equal employment opportunities. Many stressed that current laws and policies fail to protect queer people, noting that colonial-era criminal provisions and lack of legal recognition continue to marginalize LGBTQ+ citizens.
The survey further revealed strong concern about religious extremism and authoritarian governance, with many linking secularism, democracy, and accountability directly to their survival and civil rights. Overall, the findings portray a community deeply disillusioned yet politically aware, demanding safety, dignity, and inclusion rather than symbolic recognition.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 