Thread by @imranhindu

Justice N Anand Venkatesh of Madras High Court commends Tamil Nadu Govt for being committed towards the cause of #LGBTQIA + community. Says, he is really happy that the Govt has come forward to protect this community from harassment by police personnel and others @THChennai

Records the court's "deep appreciation" to the State Govt for having brought out a glossary to address persons belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community with dignity in the media and other fora. Directs the media to henceforth use the words that are referred to in the glossary.

Judge reiterates confidence on the press and media and sincerely hopes that they would use the dignified expressions while addressing LGBTQIA+ community and follow the court direction in letter and spirit.

Judges says the Govt's inclination to amendment the TN Police Service Rules and prescribe punishment for policemen who harass LGBTQIA+ community people is a milestone and a decisive step which gives hopes to them that they are in safe hands.

Judge hopes that in the future the LGBTQIA+ community would not be facing any harassment by police personnel. Records that sensitisation programmes are being conducted regularly for policemen and says the DGP & TN police dept deserves appreciation.

Judge agrees with petitioner's counsel @manuraj1983 that TN Govt is the first in the country to use the expression LGBTQIA+, instead of using the term transgender alone, while amending the TN Police Service Rules.

Additional Advocate General tells the court that TN Govt has framed a draft transgender policy and circulated it to all stakeholders. It will be finalised soon and placed before the court.

Central Govt senior panel counsel tells the judge that he is in constant touch with the Centre to ensure that the Garima Greh shelter scheme is not restricted to the transgender alone and extended to the entire LGBTQIA+ community as suggested by the court during the last hearing.

Judge says NGOs working for the welfare of LGBTQIA+ community must be enlisted and recognised so that there's some accountability. "Unfortunately, the probability of abuse is more because of perverted minds," the judge adds.

Judge appreciates efforts put in by an expert committee constituted by National Medical Commission to look into concerns expressed by the court on the need to modify the medical curriculum which teaches wrong notions about sexual orientation.