Sensitise school teachers about LGBTQIA+: HC to Tamil Nadu govt

CHENNAI: Expressing dismay over delay in implementing sensitisation programme for school teachers in the state on issues faced by children belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, the Madras high court said, "please understand that every other state is looking at Tamil Nadu."
On August 23, Tamil Nadu government issued an order publishing a glossary of Tamil and English terms to address LGBTQIA+ community members in a dignified manner.
"At least we have created an atmosphere where LGBTQIA+ community is not let out," Justice N Anand Venkatesh, who was instrumental in bringing up the glossary, said on Friday.
"The reason for urgency is that school-going children do not have anyone to share the changes they feel at that age. They must have someone to discuss such issues concerning LGBTQIA+," the judge said.
There are cases where just to get over the depression such children resort to taking drugs. They have nobody to talk to about something going on with them. This apart, they face bullying and other threats. It is a vicious circle, the court said. "It is imperative that teachers are sensitised on this issue and once they get a proper understanding as to what is undergone by a child who belongs to this community, they will be in a better position to give proper guidance," the judge said.
This court expects the state to take up this issue seriously and to start the process of sensitising teachers in the school, the court added.
When the plea came up for hearing, petitioner's counsel S Manuraj submitted that such a glossary should be brought up in many other languages too.
To this, the court said, "in Tamil we have a distinct advantage. We have many unique words to address the community which other languages might not have or easily available. That is a great advantage for us."
As to the notification of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules and the Transgender Policy, Justice Anand Venkatesh directed the state to come up with the notification within 12 weeks and adjourned the hearing to November 9.