Ignorance Is No Justification To Normalise Discrimination: How A Madras High Court Judge Overcame His Prejudices Against The LGBTQ

What Is The Context

• The court acknowledged that no special statute exists to protect the interests of LGBTQIA+ couples. However, it is the constitutional courts' responsibility to fill this void with necessary instructions to ensure that such couples are protected from harassment stemming from stigma and biases.
• The order was issued in response to a petition filed by a lesbian couple who had abandoned their biological families to avoid retaliation for their relationship. They were, however, subjected to police harassment when their biological families filed "missing person" reports.

What Are The Directives

• The court issued guidelines with several directions. Few of them are listed below.
• Sensitization programmes will be carried out by the relevant Union/State Government Ministry.
• Any person who is facing a problem as a result of their membership in the LGBTQIA+ community can turn to one of the registered NGOs for help in defending and protecting their rights.

What Is Justice Anandvenkatesh’s Take On LGBTQ

• The High Court judge opened up about his personal journey. The judge gave very powerful and positive statements.
• “I have no qualms in admitting that I, too, am among the mass of commoners who have yet to fully appreciate homosexuality. Ignorance is no excuse for normalising bigotry in any form.”
• “Rather than turning themselves inside out to meet our concepts of societal morality and tradition, it was I (us) who had to embark on a journey of learning, accepting, and shedding our ideals.”

What is your opinion on discrimination against the LGBTQ community? Let us know in the comment section below!