LGBTQI community rejoices after experts ban ‘cure therapy’

Queer rights activist said that conversion therapy is a myth and not to fall for it. Representation pic

Conversion Therapy (changing the sexual orientation of a person to heterosexual), will be construed as unethical and professional misconduct on the part of health professionals, under chapter 6 and 7 respectively of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002, a high-power committee has stated, in its submissions to the Madras High Court. The queer rights activists have welcomed the move and have appealed to the LGBTQIA community that conversion therapy is a myth and to not fall for it.

The National Medical Commission (NMC), recently (third week of February) made this submission before Madras high court on the recommendations of the expert panel constituted by Dr Aruna Vanikar (President of UG Medical Education Board UGMEB) NMC in pursuant to the orders passed by the Justice N. Anand Venkatesh to address the issues about LGBTQIA+ community in the MBBS curriculum.

Dr Vanikar said, "An internal expert committee was formed, as directed by the Madras High Court. After an extensive study on the subject, the committee has submitted their findings and their recommendations, which we have taken cognisance of and have submitted the said report to the court."

Dr Aruna Vanikar, President UGMEB, NMC (right) Bindumadhav Khire, founder and Director Bindu Queer Rights Foundation, Pune and also CEO of Maharashtra Queer Network

NMC had earlier directed authors of medical textbooks, especially for Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and Psychiatry to amend and rectify their books, where they had given unscientific information about virginity and had made derogatory and objectionable remarks on the LGBTQIA community. mid-day had earlier in its article titled ‘Remove false information on LGBTQ from medical textbooks: National Medical Commission to authors' dated October 20, 2021, had covered the decision of NMC.

‘Considered a sin'

Dr Indrajit Khandekar, Professor, Forensic Medicine, MGIMS, Sevagram, who was a part of the expert committee said, "The expert panel recommends that our medical education should teach our medical graduates that they should have an attitude of openness and respect for all genders and sexualities. I hope that now NMC will issue necessary gazette notification to give legal force to the recommendations of the expert panel."

When asked to elaborate, Dr Khandekar explained, "The conversion therapy is based on the principle that non-heterosexual orientation is abnormal and is considered as a sin. We must understand that the sexual orientation of a person, towards same gender or opposite gender or both genders is a natural phenomenon and it is by birth. However, due to fear and societal pressure and stigma, attached to homosexuality, these people refrain from disclosing their natural orientation to others in the public domain."

Sex affirmative surgery does not fall under the ambit

When asked if conversion therapy, also involved surgical intervention viz sex reassignment etc, Dr Khandekar replied negative, stating that as far as sex reassignment or sex affirmative surgery (usually done by transgenders or intersex persons) does not fall under the ambit of conversion therapy. And, that the directives from NMC are only applicable and restricted to those practising ‘conversion therapy' to change the sexual orientation of a person, from homosexual to bisexual to heterosexual."

Punishment for violation

Dr Khandekar explained, "Under the Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics Regulation, 2002, of NMC any registered medical professionals if found indulged in unethical and professional misconduct, can be held liable and can be punished by way of removal of their name from Indian Medical Register either for a temporary period or it could be a permanent eraser."

Bindumadhav Khire, founder and Director Bindu Queer Rights Foundation, Pune and also CEO of Maharashtra Queer Network, "I wholeheartedly welcome, this move by NMC. We had written to the NMC stating the removal of reference to ‘conversion therapy' from the medical curriculum and the practice of the same should be banned across India. I have come across hundreds of cases in Maharashtra, where gay men have been given various kinds of treatment and counselling in the name of conversion therapy. Just two weeks ago, Dr Prasad Raj Dandekar, from Mumbai wrote to the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and complained to them about a health professional practising ‘conversion therapy'. And the IPS has formed a committee and the complaint is being investigated."

Khire further added, "It is tragic that gay men, who are very vulnerable and stigmatised are treated so badly by such exploitative medical professionals, with either intend to make money or their inherent homophobia or transphobia. I appeal to the LGBTQIA community that the conversion therapy is a myth and not to fall for it, if they need help in accepting themselves, they should contact NGOs working with LGBTQIA community."