LGBTQIA+ rights: HC calls for curriculum reform in med edu
Feb 4, 2025, 04.00 AM IST
Chennai: The sexual orientations and gender identities of people who are part of LGBTQIA+ commuity are natural; it is not a disorder, Madras high court said on Monday while questioning the usage of the term ‘gender identity disorder’.
“Somehow, the impression is given that LGBTQIA+ identities are a disorder. Why should we use the term ‘gender identity disorder’? It shows the mindset,” Justice N Anand Venkatesh said. Nature decided to create someone this way, he added.
The court made the observations on a 2021 plea moved by a lesbian couple seeking protection from police torture and opposition from their parents. The judge expanded the scope of the plea to revamp the curriculum in medical colleges to tackle LGBTQIA+ phobia and recognise their legal rights.
The court then censured the National Medical Commission (NMC) for dragging the court’s suggestion to change the curriculum of medical education to do away with the outdated notions about the LGBTQIA+ community.
The commission is yet to amend its regulations to classify conversion therapy as professional misconduct, as the revised 2023 regulations are yet to be notified, the judge said.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu govt informed the court that it was proposing to come up with two policies one for the welfare of transgender and intersex persons and another for persons who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. To this, Justice Anand Venkatesh wondered why the state decided to come up with two different policies and directed it to report the difficulties, if any, in having one unified policy.
The court then adjourned the hearing to Feb 17.
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