Hinduism and LGBTQ topics

Hindu views of homosexuality and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) issues more generally are diverse, and different Hindu groups have distinct views. Hinduism describes a third gender that is equal to other genders and documentation of the third gender are found in ancient Hindu and Buddhist medical texts. The Kamasutra mentions Hijras and relations with them, and there are several Hindu temples which have carvings that depict both men and women engaging in sexual acts with Hijras. There are numerous cases of Hindu deities and figures that had physically transformed to different genders.

Hindu texts largely don't discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual acts, however they do explicitly mention procreative and non-procreative sexual acts. The Arthashastra argues that homosexual intercourse is an offence, and encourages chastity. The Dharmashastra recognises the existence of homosexuality, and openly condemns non-vaginal sex in religious or moral terms. The Manusmriti regards homosexual (as well as heterosexual) acts in an ox cart as a source of ritual pollution. These commentaries were written as guides for sexual misconduct (heterosexual and homosexual). In the Manusmirti and the Arthashastra of Kautilya, homosexual contact is compared to having sex with menstruating woman, which is sinful and demands a purification ritual.