Police in India take steps in removing LGBTQIA+ stigma

by David Itai

West Tripura District Police have embarked on an LGBTQIA+ awareness campaign with a total of 40 Police officials in attendance.

The campaign which was held at the West District Police Conference saw the Police being educated on the legality issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Prominent LGBTQIA+ activists such as Sneha Gupta Roy, Shri Amit Kumar Choudhury, Shri Siddhartha Sankar Deb and Shri Subhajit Datta were in attendance to help in raising the awareness to the Police.

LGBTQIA+ rights have been legal since 2018. However, stigma and victimization still continue to be the norm especially in the remote parts of the country.

Last year, Judge Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court ordered State and Federal officials to draw up plans for sweeping reforms to respect LGBTQIA+ rights.

This was after a lesbian couple brought a case of harassment by the police before the Judge.

The Judge also used the opportunity to issue a broad ruling that called for the elimination of what he described as illegal discrimination against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. He ordered State and Federal government departments to report back with steps they intend to take to comply.

"Ignorance is no justification for normalizing any form of discrimination, sensitize parents on issues of the LGBTQIA+ community and gender nonconforming students, to ensure supportive families," read part of the Judge's verdict.

In addition, the Judge said Police and government officials should be given awareness training to ensure they respect LGBTQIA+ rights and cited that medical practitioners who claim to be able to cure homosexuality should have their licenses revoked.

Furthermore the Judge cited schools and colleges should make gender neutral restrooms available, and gender-nonconforming or trans prisoners should be housed separately if needed to protect them from sexual assault.

Moreso, activists hailed the verdict as a major step towards equality for marginalised groups.