Homosexuality in Nagaland: A Sociological Exploration

Abstract

This study examines the regulation and lived negotiation of homosexuality within the sociocultural and religious context of Nagaland, a tribal Christian-majority state in Northeast India. Although homosexuality exists across cultures, it remains highly stigmatized in Naga society, where patriarchal kinship structures, Christian moral frameworks, and communal norms collectively reinforce heteronormativity. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 54 participants, including homosexual individuals, heterosexual respondents, and counselors from three urban centers. Thematic analysis reveals that societal attitudes toward homosexuality are shaped by religious morality, notions of natural order, and family expectations. Homosexual individuals commonly experience internalized stigma, identity conflict, and pressure to conform to heterosexual norms, often adopting strategies such as concealment, digital engagement, and lavender marriages. Online spaces function as critical sites of identity negotiation, but also expose individuals to health risks and exploitation. The findings highlight how sexuality is regulated through everyday mechanisms of kinship surveillance, moral discourse, and shame rather than formal institutional control. The study contributes to sociological understandings of heteronormativity in tribal contexts and underscores the need for culturally sensitive mental health services, inclusive healthcare access, and community-based awareness initiatives.