JOURNAL ARTICLE

COVID-19 and the (smart) city: Capturing the 'lived-in' pandemic experiences of the hijra communities in bhubaneswar and New Delhi.

  • Published In: Sexualities, 2025, v. 28, n. 7. P. 2100 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Mukherjee, Sramana; Ray, Sthitapragyan 3 of 3

Abstract

The article examines the lived experiences and perceptions of hijras—a traditional transgender community in India—during the COVID-19 pandemic in two Indian Smart Cities: Bhubaneswar and New Delhi. Using qualitative methods with 84 hijra respondents, the study identifies three main challenges faced by the community during the pandemic: economic hardships, healthcare access difficulties, and discrimination. Findings reveal that hijras in Bhubaneswar, supported by established community structures (gharanas), progressive local policies, and political advocacy, coped better with pandemic-induced precarity than those in New Delhi, where the hijra population is more fragmented and lacks cohesive support or inclusive governance. The study highlights how socio-political contexts and community agency critically influence the inclusion and resilience of marginalized gender minorities within urban smart city frameworks.

Additional Information

  • Source:Sexualities. 2025/10, Vol. 28, Issue 7, p2100
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Ethnic and Cultural Studies
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1363-4607
  • DOI:10.1177/13634607241305111
  • Accession Number:188443847
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