New Delhi: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has invited public feedback and input to ensure that policies and initiatives concerning the LGBTQI+ community are inclusive and effective. This call for input follows a series of measures taken by the Government of India to address issues faced by the community.
On October 17, 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Union Government to form a committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to define and clarify the rights and entitlements of the queer community. Subsequently, on April 16, 2024, the Government of India issued a gazette notification establishing the committee. The committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, includes Secretaries from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and the Legislative Department, along with the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment as the Member Convenor.
The committee held its first meeting on May 21, 2024, where discussions covered various issues, including the issuance of ration cards, joint bank accounts for queer individuals, and protection against harassment due to gender identity and sexual orientation. A sub-committee was formed to further discuss these matters, focusing on issues such as ration cards, bank accounts, jail visitation rights, and law and order measures to protect the queer community from violence, harassment, and coercion.
The sub-committee, chaired by the Home Secretary, held its first meeting on May 31, 2024, to address discrimination faced by the queer community, particularly in accessing social welfare benefits, healthcare, and public services. Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued advisories to all states and Union Territories regarding prison visitation rights and law and order measures to ensure the safety of the queer community.
On July 25, 2024, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a consultation on LGBTQIA+ issues, which included representatives from the LGBTQIA+ community, central ministries, and states. The inputs and suggestions from this consultation have been shared with relevant ministries and departments for further action.
The committee, under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, held a second meeting on August 22, 2024, to review the progress of actions taken by various ministries and departments. The committee directed the immediate issuance of orders and advisories concerning the queer community.
In response, the Department of Food and Public Distribution issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories, ensuring that partners in queer relationships are recognised as part of the same household for ration card purposes. The Department of Financial Services clarified that there are no restrictions on queer individuals opening joint bank accounts or naming a partner as a nominee. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued directives to all stakeholders, including states and Union Territories, to protect the healthcare rights of the LGBTQI+ community, address conversion therapy, ensure the availability of sex reassignment surgery, and provide teleconsultation services.
The Directorate General of Health Services also issued guidance to state health departments to improve healthcare access and reduce discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is further developing guidelines to address the mental health and well-being of queer individuals, as well as guidelines for medical intervention in intersex children.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has called on the public to submit their suggestions and feedback for further measures to support the queer community. Inputs can be sent to the email addresses provided by the department. /BI
