Tamil Nadu: Glossary of Tamil terms to identify LGBTQIA+

CHENNAI: In a first for the country, Tamil Nadu has issued a government order (GO) publishing glossary of Tamil terms to address LGBTQIA+ community members.
Besides recognised terms like gay, lesbian, queer and transgender, it now has specific nomenclature for asexual, aromantic, pansexual people, and descriptions like gender fluidity, gender incongruence, gender dysphoria, etc. It calls conversion therapy aimed to 'change' or 'convert' people from queer to heterosexual as unethical and illegal, besides calling it result of superstitions and religion-based beliefs.
Nudged by the Madras high court to do so, the government has also made it mandatory for all forums, including the media, to address them only by using the specific terms published in the gazette.
The GO dated August 20 was passed following a suggestion made by Justice N Anand Venkatesh to address people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community with dignity and respect.
Show some urgency to finalise transgender policy: HC to govt
The suggestion was made during the hearing of a plea moved by a lesbian couple alleging police harassment.
When the plea came up for hearing on Monday, counsel for the state produced a copy of the GO issued by the social welfare and women empowerment department in the court. "It is made clear that all concerned, including the press, must take note of the notification published in the gazette on August 20 and address persons belonging to LGBTQIA+ community by using only the notified terms wherever required," said Justice Anand Venkatesh, recording the GO.
As to the other directions of the court, including a direction to come up with a 'transgender policy', Tamil Nadu submitted that instructions had been issued to the principal secretary of the transgender welfare board to prepare an exclusive policy for transgender people in consultation with all stakeholders, including the officials of the state planning commission.
Counsel representing the state asked the court to grant six more months to come up with the final transgender policy.
Noting that such a request was not acceptable, the judge said, "this process has been going on for more than a year and it is not known as to why six more months is sought."
"The government must bear in mind that people belonging to LGBTQIA+ community have been sidelined from the mainstream of society for too long and it is high time that top priority is given to implementing the policy and rules," the court added.
If the government is really willing and serious about the uplift of persons belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, some urgency must be shown to finalise the policy and the rules, the judge said.
"This court expects the government to appreciate the concern shown by this court," the judge added while directing the state to file a status report and adjourned the hearing to September 2.