As Chennai marked Pride Month celebrations on 29 June 2025, a viral video featuring VCK leader and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan has stirred controversy online. The undated clip, lasting around two minutes, shows Thirumavalavan appearing to describe homosexuality particularly same-sex relationships between men as “perversion” rather than a form of love.

While the full speech is currently unavailable and its context cannot be independently verified, the circulating excerpt has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and members of the public.

In the video, a law student also named Thirumavalavan is introduced with a warm welcome. He poses a question to the MP, referencing a previous speech in which Thirumavalavan had discussed how ancient Tamil culture symbolized love through the fusion of consonants and vowels body and life forming the word kaadhal (love). The student asked, “You have mentioned in a speech that the ancient Tamil society defined love as ‘க் + அ’ becoming ‘க’. That’s how it became ‘kaadhal’ (love). ‘க்’ is a consonant (body), and ‘அ’ is a vowel (life). Just as a consonant and a vowel combine to form a ‘uyir-mei’ (a character with both body and life), a man and a woman unite, leading to reproduction, and that’s how a society forms. Now, in these days, men fall in love with men, and women fall in love with women. How do we view that? Does that also come under the same definition within Tamil society?”

Responding with a sarcastic tone, MP Thirumavalavan replied, “In English, they call it perversion. If a man falls in love with another man, it’s perversion. It’s something contrary to nature.”

He then went on to describe love as an indescribable feeling, “Love, you see, cannot be defined. It’s a feeling beyond definitions. You can call it gentle; you can call it powerful. You can call it useful; you can call it terrifying. You can call it necessary; you can call it unnecessary. You can define it however you want, because it’s a feeling common to all living beings. This isn’t just common to humanity. If there’s one common characteristic among all living creatures, that characteristic is called ‘love’ in a single word.”

Did Thol Thirumavalavan just define "homosexuality" as "perversion"? pic.twitter.com/AoWwRnVui9

— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) June 30, 2025

The video has since sparked debate online, with many questioning the MP’s remarks in the context of evolving societal views on gender and sexuality particularly as the LGBTQ+ community continues to fight for recognition and navigate real-world challenges and discrimination.

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In a ruling that reinforces the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in India., the Madras High Court has held that while same-sex marriages may not yet be legally recognised, queer individuals are fully entitled to form families and live with partners of their choice.

A Division Bench comprising Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice V. Lakshminarayanan made these observations while adjudicating a habeas corpus petition filed by a woman whose same-sex partner had been allegedly abducted and detained by her natal family.

Referring to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India (2023 INSC 920), the High Court acknowledged that, “While Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India case may not have legalised marriage between same sex couples, they can very well form a family. Marriage is not the sole mode to found a family. The concept of ‘chosen family’ is now well settled and acknowledged in LGBTQIA+ jurisprudence.”

The Court also echoed earlier sentiments expressed by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court, who had advocated for the recognition of civil unions among same-sex couples.

Background: Abuse, Confinement, Police Inaction

The case was brought before the Court after the petitioner alleged that her partner had been forcibly taken and detained by her family. The local police, instead of intervening to assist the couple, reportedly pressured the detenue into going with her parents, who then subjected her to physical abuse and coercive “corrective” rituals aimed at changing her sexual orientation.

The detenue’s mother accused the petitioner of manipulating her daughter and alleged drug addiction. However, during a direct interaction in court, the Bench dismissed these claims.

“The detenue is aged about 25 years. She is well qualified. She appeared to be a perfectly normal looking young woman. It would be unfair to accuse her of any kind of addiction. To a specific question from us, the detenue replied that she is a lesbian and in relationship with the writ petitioner. She made it clear that she wants to go with the petitioner. She confirmed the allegation that she is being detained against her will by her natal family. It appeared that she was forcibly taken to her home and beaten.”

Yogyakarta Principles And A Mother’s Prejudice

In support of their ruling, the judges referred to the Yogyakarta Principles — an international legal framework adopted in 2006 on the application of human rights in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

They also drew a poignant comparison with Justice Leila Seth, the late Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and mother of renowned author Vikram Seth, who had openly supported her son’s coming out as gay.

“The mother of the detenue is no Leila Seth. We could understand her feelings and temperament. She wants her daughter to be like any other normal, heterosexual woman, get married and settle down in life. We endeavoured in vain to impress upon her that her daughter, being an adult, is entitled to choose a life of her own.”

The Court lamented that Justice Seth did not live to witness the Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India judgment that decriminalised homosexuality in India.

Critique Of Terminology And Final Orders

In an aside, the Court expressed discomfort with the term “queer,” stating that conventional dictionary meanings such as “strange” or “odd” still carry pejorative undertones.

Upholding the detenue’s right to live freely with her partner, the Court delivered a strong rebuke to the authorities. “We censure the rank inaction on the part of the Police and the insensitivity shown by them. The Yogyakarta Principles affirm the right to security of the person concerned. When there is a right, there has to be a correlative duty. We hold that the Government officials, in particular the jurisdictional Police, have a duty to expeditiously and appropriately respond whenever complaints of this nature are received from the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

To ensure continued safety, the Court issued specific directives: “We also restrain the detenue’s natal family members from interfering with her personal liberty. We issue a writ of continuing mandamus to the jurisdictional Police to afford adequate protection to the detenue as well as the petitioner as and when required.”

Advocate M.A. Mumtaj Surya appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Public Prosecutor E. Raj Thilak represented the Respondents.

(With inputs from Verdictum)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for a historic third time on the evening of 9 June 2024. The list of invitees to the swearing-in ceremony had been very inclusive. Alongside political figures, representatives from the film and sports industries, business leaders, and other notable individuals, Modi has invited several special guests. These include beneficiaries of central government schemes, members of the transgender community, labourers from the Central Vista project, sanitation workers, and railway employees involved in key projects like the Vande Bharat trains and the Metro.

Additionally, members of the diverse SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics) community, including intersex individuals, were invited to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked the first time in Indian political history that the most marginalized group from this community was extended such an invitation.

Among those invited was intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai, who had previously been appointed as the first intersex statutory authority by the Modi-led government. Expressing his excitement, Gopi, speaking to The New Indian Express, stated “I feel great; I feel delighted to be a part of the historical event. I really have no words to describe it. So far no PM, after independence has invited an Intersex person like me to attend a swearing-in ceremony. This is for the first time, history will be made. I feel blessed; I also feel blessed to have Modi as PM of India,” 

Gopi expressed hope that during Modi’s upcoming tenure, the government would officially recognize the existence of intersex individuals in India by including them in the census and regulate medical interventions performed on intersex infants to align their bodies with binary gender norms.

The swearing-in ceremony witnessed over 8,000 invitees attending it at Rashtrapathi Bhavan This also marked a significant step towards inclusivity and representation for the diverse SOGIESC community in India.

(with inputs from The New Indian Express)

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A transgender student named D. Ajitha who achieved a score of 373 marks in her Class XII board exams, has been diligently seeking admission to a college for higher studies. Unfortunately, her applications were rejected by several colleges, leaving her disappointed. However, her luck changed when a private college offered her a seat in the BSc Psychology course, and without any fees.

Ajitha completed her Class XII education at North Coimbatore Corporation Higher Secondary School. After media reports highlighted her struggles to secure admission for a graduate course, the management of Kongu Nadu Arts and Science College (KASC) reached out to her and offered her a seat in the course she had been aspiring to pursue.

Reflecting on her experience, Ajitha said, “After receiving my results, I applied to several colleges, but none of them were willing to grant me admission. At that point, I received a call from KASC. I was overjoyed. I hope other colleges take this as an example and provide free education to transgender individuals in need.”

She also pointed out the difficulties transgender individuals face in accessing education and employment opportunities, often forcing them into begging or prostitution. “If we are provided with education and job opportunities, we can improve our livelihoods.”

C. A. Vasuki, the secretary of KASC, stated, “We not only acknowledge her academic merit but also reaffirm our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring access to education for everyone.”

It is notable that, periyarist AUT professors had recently oppose Kongunadu college’s plan to introduce SOGIESC Studies in the institution.

The Kongunadu Arts and Science College in Coimbatore started supporting Transmen, Transwoman and Intersex person’s education before 5 years. KASC institution has 2 Transgender persons pursuing PhD, 2 full time teaching transgender faculty, 3 transgender non teaching faculty. One transgender student studying MA Tamil has cleared her NET exam. KASC have gender neutral toilets for them and all their education fees has been fully waived. This year 2 Transgender students have joined including Ajeetha.

(With inputs from Timesofindia)

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Kongunadu College in Coimbatore has announced its intention to introduce a non-major elective paper titled ‘SOGIESC Studies’ (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics). However, this decision has faced opposition from Association of University Teachers (AUT) professors with Periyarist ideology.

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) – Zone 7 has raised concerns over the introduction of this course, urging the higher education department to intervene and halt the process at Kongunadu College. They claim that the institution has not obtained the necessary approval for this course.

According to AUT, Kongunadu College listed the SOGIESC Studies paper as mandatory under non-major electives without proper approval from academic bodies, UGC, or the state and central government’s higher education departments.

“As of now, no syllabus has been prescribed for the SOGIESC Studies, and no contents or topics of the subject have been made known, including prescribed texts and reference books,” stated AUT in a report.

They have urged the higher education department to issue appropriate orders to Kongunadu College, halting the introduction of the course until proper approval is obtained and due procedure followed.

In response to the allegations, Kongunadu College has clarified that the introduction of SOGIESC Studies was merely a suggestion and that they would follow the necessary procedures to obtain approval. However, AUT remains adamant that the college should not proceed without proper authorization.

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The Madras High Court has extended an invitation to Intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai to participate in the upcoming Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Committee meeting. The meeting, scheduled for 25 April 2024, at the Madras High Court Auditorium, will be attended by Senior Judges, District Magistrates, Senior State Bureaucrats, and officials from UNICEF.

Gopi Shankar Madurai is expected to present a mandate urging the inclusion of infants and children with diverse Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (GIESC) identities in the policies related to the Juvenile Justice Law and POCSO Act. This meeting will witness the delivery of a wide range of recommendations aimed at enhancing the protection and rights of children with diverse GIESC identities.

In 2019, Gopi Shankar Madurai presented an official report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In response, the UN CRPD committee recommended that the Government of India expand the scope of its present policy regime concerning Intersex infants and children, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities, including autism.

The recommendations put forth by the UN CRPD committee include:

1. Amendment and implementation of the Government Order by the Director of Medical Education to ban unnecessary medical interventions on Intersex infants and children, along with the formation of an Apex committee involving senior Intersex activists.

2. Usage of the term SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics) instead of LGBTQ, acknowledging the problems associated with using the term LGBTQ for infants and children in India. Highlighting the difference between Sex and Gender identity.

3. Inclusion of Intersex infants and children in the forthcoming census, as well as changing the name and mandate of NCTP to include diverse GIESC infants and children in India.

4. Formation of a scientific panel to study necessary and unnecessary medical interventions on Intersex infants and children, including the inclusion of Medical Geneticists and the concept of genetic counseling in the process.

5. Formation of a High-level State Panel to study the condition of Intersex infants and children and GIESC children in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The costs for this study can be supported by the Tamil Nadu State Government and UNICEF-like organizations.

6. Publishing a handbook and guide on Intersex infants and GIESC children in English and Tamil languages for the usage of the Juvenile Justice Committee in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This initiative will be funded by the State Government, including Intersex activists.

7. Formation of a Scientific Advisory Panel for GIESC infants and children to advise the Madras High Court, Juvenile Justice Committee, and Juvenile Justice Board, among others.

8. Establishment of rehabilitation and prison facilities for Intersex and GIESC infants and children, including persons with diverse disabilities.

9. Introduction of exclusive grievance mechanisms with helplines for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and other concerned statutory bodies dealing with diverse GIESC infants and children in India.

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In Chennai, a transgender woman fell victim to a vicious assault after being mistaken for a child kidnapper by a group of men. The shocking episode unfolded in Pammal, where the victim, who is employed at an IT firm in Thoraipakkam, found herself subjected to a brutal attack.

According to police reports, the ordeal transpired on the evening of 18 February 2024, as the victim was making her way home after dining at a local eatery in Mungileri. Approached by two men who demanded identification, she disclosed her profession, only to be met with violence instead of understanding.

Allegedly acting on a forwarded message regarding a suspected child abductor in the vicinity, the assailants claimed her facial features matched those of the individual described in the warning. More individuals soon joined the fray, escalating the confrontation to a terrifying level. The victim was forcibly restrained, stripped to half-nakedness, and subjected to physical assault, all of which was recorded and circulated on social media platforms.

In response to the victim’s complaint, authorities from the Shankar Nagar police swiftly acted, invoking pertinent sections of the Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act along with various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, wrongful restraint, use of abusive language, and causing hurt. Consequently, two individuals have been apprehended in connection with the incident.

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The disappearance of 21-year-old transgender woman Simi from her home in Perumbakkam, Chennai, has ended in a grim discovery. Simi, who resided with her parents in a Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board house, vanished without a trace on 25 January 2024, leaving her family in distress. Despite their desperate attempts to reach her via cellphone, all efforts were futile as her phone remained switched off.

The anguish of Simi’s family culminated in a missing person report filed at the Perumbakkam Police Station. However, the search for Simi took a tragic turn when her lifeless body was found on the OMR Chemmanjeri Road on 28 January 2024.

On 3 February 2024, a significant breakthrough occurred when police apprehended five transgender women involved in the illegal sale of marijuana. As investigators delved deeper into the backgrounds of the detained individuals, a chilling revelation emerged as these very individuals were responsible for Simi’s untimely demise.

Further scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding Simi’s death uncovered a disturbing network of illicit activities, including prostitution. It came to know that, in Siruseri, OMR regions, the transgender women who got arrested, and identified as Anandhi, Aparna, Abi, Rathi including the dead simi were involved in prostitution.

Reports suggest that Simi’s popularity among young individuals in the Sirucheri and OMR regions may have fuelled jealousy and resentment among her peers, ultimately leading to her tragic murder.

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The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan has extended an invitation to intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai to grace the inaugural ceremony of the colossal 108 feet moorthi (statue) of Adi Shankara at Omkareshwar Dham.

In a bid to promote Advaita Vedanta philosophy and honor the legacy of Adi Shankaracharya, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced the establishment of the grand universal center of Oneness, named ‘Ekatma Dham.’

The project aims to popularize the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and will feature a 108-foot multi-metal statue of child Shankar in a symbolic posture of embarking on a spiritual journey.

The ‘Ekatma Dham’ project will also include the establishment of ‘Advaita Loka’ and the ‘Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita Vedanta.’ Leveraging modern technology and innovative expressions of Indian art traditions, it will showcase the life and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya in an effective and attractive manner. Notable features of the project include the ‘Advaita Nauka Vihar,’ a high-screen theatre, a ‘Panchayatan Temple,’ ‘Srishti: a Vedanta interpretation center,’ ‘Annapoorna,’ and ‘Advaita Kalagrama.’

The grand unveiling ceremony of the ‘Statue of Oneness’ and the foundation laying ceremony of ‘Advaita Loka’ are scheduled to take place at 10:30 AM on 18 September, 2023.

For this event, the Chief Minister has extended an invitation to intersex activist, and southern representative of the National Council for Transgender Persons, Gopi Shankar Madurai acknowledging their presence as a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Speaking to The Commune, Gopi said that this is the first time that people belonging to the intersex community have been invited for such an occasion.

“This is very heartening and a moment of joy for us. It is a big representation and an honour for our community. It is not just about dignity. This is real equality. That people from the intersex community are being invited to witness the historic moment of the inauguration of the 108 feet Adi Shankara staute is something that needs to be highlighted.“, Gopi said.

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Gopi Shankar Madurai, an intersex activist, has received the Children’s Champion Award from the Delhi Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).

DCPCR honored Gopi Shankar Madurai for his contributions to advocating for the rights of infants born with multiple sex and gender characteristics.

DCPCR instituted the “Children’s Champion’s Award” last year to recognize individuals and institutions who have championed the cause of children in the areas of education, justice, health, nutrition, sports, and artistic expression.

According to the jury, Gopi Shankar Madurai has been recognized as an individual making a difference in the lives of children in the Child Protection category.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on 25 March 2023 in Delhi.

Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) is a statutory authority constituted with the goal of promoting the cause of children. Recognizing the individuals or institutions who have contributed significantly to the health, education, protection, and agency of the children is an important and strong way to promote the cause of the children. Hence, the Delhi Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) announces pan India Children’s Champion awards.

Gopi Shankar Madurai, intersex activist and founder of Srishti Madurai, an LGBTQIA+ non-funded student collective that aims at educating academicians, members of the medical fraternity as well as schools and college students about the community’s issues. Gopi Shankar Madurai is also the South Regional Representative for the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP), appointed under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the first intersex Statutory authority with the Government of India.

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