Govt invites public inputs to ensure policies are effective regarding LGBTQI+ community

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has invited inputs from stakeholders and the public at large to ensure that policies and initiatives regarding the LGBTQI+ community are inclusive and effective. 

A host of measures have been taken by the government regarding the community. On 16th April this year, the Center  constituted a committee with the Cabinet Secretary as the chairperson to examine and submit recommendations on the measures to be taken by central and state governments to safeguard the interests of the queer community.

The government has already taken interim action in this regard. The Department of Food and Public



Distribution has issued an advisory to all the states and UTs, enabling partners in a queer relationship to be treated as a part of the same household for the purposes of ration cards. The Department of Financial Services has issued an advisory that there are no restrictions for persons of the queer community to open a joint bank account. 

The Health Ministry has issued letters to all stakeholders, including all states and UTs, to take measures to ensure the rights of the LGBTQI+ community regarding healthcare, planning awareness activities, prohibition of conversion therapy, and availability of sex reassignment surgery.