The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– Aug 26, 2022; Day 345

Rainbow of hope: On Tamil Nadu’s glossary (An alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge) of terms to address LGBTQIA+ community

A glossary is in place, but LGBTQIA+ community need more than words to live with dignity 

Struggling with gender identity, and fighting against stigma (A symbol of disgrace or infamy), prejudice (An adverse judgement or opinion formed beforehand without good justification) and discrimination, the LGBTQIA+ community, in Tamil Nadu at least, will not be derided (Treat or speak of with contempt) by slurs (A disparaging remark) or mocking half-names anymore. The T.N. government, on the orders of the Madras High Court, has come out with a glossary of terms to address people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or of any other orientation. The Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment notified the terms — paal pudhumaiyar for queer; maruviya paalinam for a transgender; idaippaal for intersex; paalina adaiyaalangaludan oththupogaathavar for a gender non-conforming person and so forth. Not everyone is happy; some groups feel the word for transgender should be the one in use, thirunar; others hope the nomenclature (A system of words used to name things in a particular discipline) will not rid those who fall outside the generalisation of the benefits. For this diverse community, the road from isolation to belonging has been fraught (filled) bias and violence, it was a wrong Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court sought to amend in his June 7, 2021 verdict. While hearing, in April, the ordeal (A severe or trying experience) of a same-sex couple who sought police protection from combative (Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits) parents, Justice Venkatesh admitted that he had to shed his own misconceptions before ruling on the case. The High Court came out with a slew (a large number, amount or extent) of guidelines for the police, and social welfare ministries, both State and Centre, to ensure the safety of the community.

In February, the High Court pulled up the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for dragging its feet on listing names of NGOs working for the community. In a June 2021 order, the High Court had acknowledged that social sanction is of paramount (Of greatest importance) importance to lead a life of choice. In 2018, a Bench of the Supreme Court had overturned a 2013 ruling and decriminalised (Make legal) homosexuality. But the landmark judgment was only a first step. An individual wanting to live with dignity, no matter how she wants to be identified, still has many mountains to climb before enjoying liberty (Freedom of choice), autonomy and privacy guaranteed by Article 21. The state and society often mobilise (Make ready for action or use) traditional values to combat all sorts of phobias (An anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations), and the movement for equal rights in T.N. should ensure children are not forced to go in for conversion therapy or thrown out of their homes for being different. Rights activists hope the glossary is fluid (A supply of something available for future use) because the conversation around gender and sexuality is evolving. By creating inclusiveness in language for a marginalised community, the State has worked on the principle of suyamariyadhai or self-respect, the cornerstone of the Dravidian movement. Tamil Nadu has shown the way, but there is a long way to go before people forced to be in the shadows see a rainbow of hope in all spheres (A particular environment or walk of life) of life.

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