HC Judge Explains How He Overcame Prejudice Against Homosexuality Despite His Upbringing

Two months ago, the Madras HC ordered parents of a same-sex couple who opposed their relationship to undergo counselling. Dealing with the writ petition filed by the lesbian couple seeking protection from police harassment behest of their parents and relatives, Justice Anand Venkatesh issued a slew of guidelines to ensure the protection of the LGBTQIA+ community in consensual relationships along with comprehensive measures to be adopted to ensure they’re part of the mainstream society.

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Moreover, Justice N Anand Venkatesh voluntarily underwent psycho-educational sessions and interactions with a psychologist to understand same-sex relationships and their problems. He humbly admitted his ‘pre-conceived notions’ and biases he harboured against them earlier, and how he has now overcome those prejudices, Live Law reports.

He stated, “I have no hesitation in accepting that I too belong to the majority of commoners who are yet to comprehend homosexuality completely… The society and my upbringing have always treated the terms ‘homosexual’, ‘gay’, ‘lesbian’ as anathema. A majority of the society would stand in the same position of ignorance and preconceived notions.”

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Justice Venkatesh has also directed that action would be taken against medical professionals involving themselves in any form of ‘conversion therapy’ including revoking their license to practice, Republic reports.

“The police, on receipt of any complaint regarding girl/woman/man missing cases which upon investigation is found to involve consenting adults belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, shall upon receipt of their statements, close the complaint without subjecting them to any harassment,” the order concludes.

A positive step towards the sensitization of the LGBTQIA+ community in India!

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