Pride Month: Madras HC issues directions to remove prejudice against LGBTQIA+ community

New Delhi: In a significant outcome for the LGBTQIA community, the Madras High Court on Monday (June 7, 2021) issued directions for protecting them from harassment by authorities and other major stakeholders in society. 

According to the Court, society was even now grappling to come to terms with same-sex orientation.

The case pertained to a Madurai-based lesbian couple whose relationship was being opposed by their parents, following which the couple fled to Chennai to seek NGO support and sustain themselves. As their respective daughters fled their homes, the parents filed girl-missing complaints with the Police, which led to the filing of FIRs. The couple approached the Court after having faced Police interrogation at the residential premises in Chennai. They also feared for their safety and security from Police harassment and that of their parents. 

In a detailed order, Justice N Anand Venkatesh outlined the sensitization programs that need to be undertaken by Police, legal authorities, judiciary, education institutions, workplaces and parents in issues pertaining to the LGBTQIA community. 

Some of the significant interim guidelines issued by the Madras High Court include measures to create awareness about the community by conducting sensitization programmes by respective Governments, to eliminate prejudices against the community and channelize them into the mainstream. 

According to Manuraj Sundaram, who represented the petitioners (lesbian couple), this order by the Madras High Court stands out for its unprecedented width and scope. 

"Such a detailed order for the LGBTQIA+ community is unheard of from any court, including the Supreme Court of India. No high court has issued such extensive Guidelines, but of course, this development builds upon the SC judgement to annul Section 377 of the IPC," Manuraj told Zee Media. 

The court said that in missing complaints pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community (in case of consenting adults), based on statements of the involved persons, the complaint must be closed without harassing the couple. Persons belonging to the community can approach the enlisted NGOs for protecting their rights. Such a list of NGOs and their contact details must be furnished by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) on their official website and updated regularly. Such NGOs are also required to maintain data of the individuals approaching them in a confidential manner and share the records with the Ministry twice a year. 

In terms of addressing the issues, the court said that it will be via counselling, monetary support, legal assistance with the support of the District Legal Services Authority, or by coordinating with law enforcement agencies about offences committed against any persons belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The Court said, regarding the issue of accommodation, suitable changes are to be made in existing short stay homes, Anganwadi shelters, and 'garima greh', which is a shelter home for transgender persons, that offers basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and recreational facilities and skill development for a dignified life. 

In the advice for parents, it mentioned that they must be understanding and accepting children of diverse gender expressions, sexual orientation, gender identities and gender presentation while providing peer support for parents of such children. 

The Court also called for a change in curricula of schools and universities to educate students on understanding the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes conducting outreach programs involving the community and NGOs, sensitizing parents via PTA meetings to be supportive of gender-nonconforming students. 

Some additional steps include adding the third gender in application forms, change of gender and name for transgender persons, and to ensure availability of gender-neutral restrooms. 

For workplaces, the Court said that suitable changes must be made in hiring policies for inclusivity, provide support in case of grievances, extend benefits such as insurance, ensure policies to prevent discrimination etc. 

This is to be noted that the Madras High Court's directions come in a month that is celebrated as the 'Pride Month' every year to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.