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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Autistic individuals, like anyone else, can have various sexual orientations. Sexual orientation is not determined by autism, as it’s a separate aspect of a person’s identity. Autistic individuals can identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, or any other orientation, just like neurotypical individuals.

Supporting the sexual orientation of autistic individuals involves understanding and respecting their autonomy, providing appropriate education and resources, and creating a safe and inclusive environment. Here are some ways to support them:

1. Education: Offer accurate information about sexual orientation and diversity. Ensure that autistic individuals have access to resources that explain different sexual orientations in an understandable and nonjudgmental way.

2. Respect Autonomy: Recognize that autistic individuals, like everyone else, have the right to explore and identify their sexual orientation on their own terms. Respect their self-identification and avoid making assumptions about their orientation.

3. Open Communication: Create a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their feelings, questions, and concerns about sexual orientation. Encourage open dialogue and provide a listening ear without judgment.

4. Access to Support Services: Offer access to support groups, counseling services, or community organizations that specialize in providing support for LGBTQ+ individuals, including those who are autistic. These resources can provide guidance, validation, and a sense of community.

5. Addressing Challenges: Be aware of and address any unique challenges that autistic individuals may face related to their sexual orientation, such as difficulties with social skills, sensory sensitivities, or understanding social norms. Provide appropriate accommodations and support as needed.

6. Promoting Inclusivity: Foster a culture of acceptance and inclusivity within the community, school, workplace, or other social settings. Advocate for policies and practices that promote equality and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or neurodiversity.

7. Support from Allies: Encourage allies within the community to actively support and advocate for the rights and inclusion of autistic individuals with diverse sexual orientations. Allies can help amplify voices, challenge stereotypes, and create positive change.

By promoting understanding, respect, and support, we can create a more inclusive and affirming environment for autistic individuals of all sexual orientations.

B. Autistic persons with Intersex condition

Supporting autistic individuals who are born with intersex conditions involves understanding their unique needs and providing appropriate care and support. Here are some ways to identify and support them:

1. Education and Awareness: Educate yourself and others about intersex variations, including the physical, medical, and psychological aspects. Understand that intersex is a natural variation of human biology and not a disorder.

2. Respect Autonomy: Respect the individual’s right to self-determination and decision-making regarding their own body and identity. Avoid making assumptions about their gender identity or medical needs.

3. Access to Healthcare: Ensure access to competent and sensitive healthcare providers who have experience working with intersex individuals. Provide support in navigating medical decisions, treatments, and potential surgeries, while prioritizing the individual’s well-being and autonomy.

4. Emotional Support: Offer emotional support and validation for the individual’s experiences and feelings regarding their intersex variation. Create a safe and supportive environment where they feel comfortable discussing their concerns, fears, and questions.

5. Advocacy and Rights: Advocate for the rights of intersex individuals, including the right to bodily autonomy, informed consent, and protection from non-consensual medical interventions. Support efforts to end harmful practices such as unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants and children.

6. Inclusive Language and Spaces: Use inclusive language and create inclusive spaces that recognize and affirm the diversity of gender identities and intersex variations. Respect the individual’s chosen name, pronouns, and gender identity.

7. Community Support: Connect the individual with supportive communities, organizations, and resources for intersex individuals and their allies. These communities can provide peer support, advocacy, and resources for navigating various challenges and experiences.

8. Collaborative Approach: Take a collaborative approach to supporting the individual, involving them in decision-making processes and respecting their input and preferences. Work together with them, their family, healthcare providers, and other support networks to ensure comprehensive and holistic care.

By providing understanding, respect, and support, we can create a more inclusive and affirming environment for autistic individuals who are born with intersex variations.

Understanding and explaining sexual orientation and sex characteristics to an autistic child requires a tailored approach that takes into account their unique communication style, sensory sensitivities, and cognitive processing differences. Here are some strategies:

1. Sensory-Friendly Materials: Use visual aids, social stories, or simplified language to explain concepts related to sexual orientation and sex characteristics. Keep the information clear, concrete, and relevant to the child’s level of understanding.

2. Interactive Activities: Engage the child in interactive activities, such as role-playing or drawing, to explore different aspects of sexual orientation and sex characteristics in a hands-on way. This can help make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable.

3. Personalized Support: Provide individualized support based on the child’s interests, preferences, and sensory needs. Offer reassurance and encouragement as they navigate new or challenging information, and be patient in answering their questions.

4. Use Social Stories: Create social stories or visual narratives that depict scenarios related to sexual orientation and sex characteristics in a context that the child can understand. Use characters and situations that are relatable to them to facilitate comprehension and empathy.

5. Model Acceptance and Inclusivity: Model acceptance and inclusivity by embracing diversity and respecting different identities and orientations. Demonstrate empathy and understanding towards others, and encourage the child to do the same.

6. Encourage Self-Expression: Encourage the child to express their thoughts, feelings, and questions about sexual orientation and sex characteristics in a safe and supportive environment. Validate their experiences and emotions, and provide nonjudgmental guidance as needed.

7. Promote Self-Advocacy: Teach the child self-advocacy skills to help them communicate their needs and boundaries related to sexual orientation and sex characteristics. Encourage them to ask questions, seek support, and assert their rights in respectful ways.

8. Involve Families and Caregivers: Collaborate with families and caregivers to ensure consistent messaging and support across different settings. Provide resources and guidance to help parents and caregivers navigate discussions about sexual orientation and sex characteristics with their child.

By approaching the topic with sensitivity, clarity, and respect for the child’s individuality, we can help autistic children understand and navigate concepts related to sexual orientation and sex characteristics in a supportive and empowering way.

Gopi Shankar Madurai is the first openly intersex statutory authority with the Government of India. Inputs from advocate Vijay Mishra, human rights researcher and Coordinator of the Intersex India project.

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Feature Image Credits: Sahapedia

The ongoing petition in the Supreme Court on recognising “same-sex marriage” reflects the lack of conceptual understanding and difference between “sex /sex identity” and “gender /gender identity”.

The recognition of the existence of transgender or any other gender apart from binary gender as “third gender” was made in the famous decision of NALSA v. Union of India.

Following the same approach, if the Supreme Court recognises “same-sex marriage”, it will only be limiting the civil rights of marriage to cis-lesbians and cis-gays, leaving out people with diverse sex characteristics, including intersex persons, and gender variant identities.

While understanding GIESC (Gender Identity and Expressions, and Sex Characteristics), it is pertinent to note that sex characteristics and gender identity are different concepts and cannot be used interchangeably.

Being Intersex is a ‘sex characteristic’ and not a gender identity. Intersex people are are individuals who are born with sex characteristics that does not fit the binary definitions of male and female anatomy. These variations in sex characteristics could be variations in genitals, chromosomes, gonads or sex hormones. A person with intersex variations can be a ‘transgender person’ too, but Transgender may not be Intersex.

It is imperative that the Supreme Court and the Government of India recognise the existence of people with intersex traits (including intersex infants and gender non-conforming children), because it is not objectively possible to uphold the civil rights of persons with diverse sex characteristics without recognizing them (making them visible).

Till now, there is no specific data on the intersex population (including intersex infants and gender non-conforming children) available in India. The last Census of India (2011), only recorded the “Transgender persons” population, and that too under the ‘sex’ column. Unless and until we have clear data on a population of persons with diverse sex characteristics which is non-heterogeneous, it is not possible to frame or adopt effective policies for them. The current Census Schedule provides an option for “transgender” in the “sex” column for persons who do not fall under the binary male and female.

The primary understanding of persons with diverse sex characteristics is uprooted with the underlying meaning of male and female. There are no legal aspects to detail what constitutes a male and a female. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 does not outline what is male and female. The Constitution of India mentions the term “sex” in Article 15, but there is no use of the term “gender”.

The term “sex” in the Constitution of India needs to be interpreted recognising the existence of persons with diverse sex characteristics. The biggest paradox here is that even without any legal parameter for what constitutes male and female, the Court and the Government of India went on to define the definition of “third gender” and “transgender persons” respectively.

Furthermore, there are no medical protocols to regulate the performance of a medical surgery to normalise the sex identity of intersex infants and gender non-conforming children. In 2019, the Madras High Court in the case of Arunkumar and Ors. v. IG of Registration, inspired by the advocacy of Srishti Madurai on the rights of intersex infants, imposed a ban on unnecessary medical intervention with intersex infants in the State of Tamil Nadu and directed the Tamil Nadu government to pass a legal order. Subsequently, the State of Tamil Nadu became the first state which provided a legal regime banning sex-selective surgeries with intersex infants. Now,  a nation-wide ban on unnecessary medical intervention with intersex infants is the need of the hour.

This judgment not only recognizes the plight of intersex infants but also upholds the inter-caste marriage of transgender persons. It highlights the existence of the marriage rights of gender variant persons in Hindu traditions, such as the Koothandavar Temple in Tamil Nadu, which represents the marriage of Aravan and Krishna. Also, gender-specific sacred spaces are respected in Hindu civilization which acknowledges the existence of persons with diverse sex characteristics.

The established jurisprudence by the Apex court on “third gender” has led to fallacies to further recognition of persons with intersex variations. For instance, in Nangai v. The Superintendent of Police, the Madras High Court relied on the NALSA judgment to treat an intersex person as “transgender person” and granted rights. This reflects ignorance of the existence of persons with intersex variations. Some High Courts have tried to uphold the rights of intersex persons. The Delhi High Court in Faizan Siddique v. Sashastra Seema Bal invalidated the decision of Sashastra Seema Bal denying the candidature of Faizan Siddique as Constable (GD) female on the ground of intersex traits.

But this does not mean that the Government of India or the Supreme Court recognizes the existence of intersex persons as individuals. Santhi Soundarajan, a female athlete with intersex traits, and the first Tamil Indian to win a silver medal in the Doha Asian Games (total 11 international medals), was devastated when suddenly told she does not pass the gender test. Her silver medal was taken back and the Government of India didn’t even defend her on the international circuit. She was compelled for a time to work as a daily wager for survival.

The absence of Government support and recognition of the rights of a female international athlete with an intersex variation, who had made India proud, pushed her into a corner; she even attempted to end her life. There are several other athletes with intersex variations who have suffered unheard; their bodily existence is itself in question. These intersex persons are living with a question mark over their recognition and existence and the same is impacting their day-to-day activities. It is the duty of the Government of India to recognise the existence of persons with intersex variations and to protect them.

The lack of recognition of the intersex population, including intersex infants and gender non-conforming children, leads to irregularities in laws. For instance, the Government of India adopted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The definition of “transgender person” as provided in Section 2 (k) of the Act, traces its roots to NALSA v. Union of India, and defines gender identity and expressions and sex characteristics as “transgender persons”. This definition is not scientifically correct and intersex persons cannot be included under the umbrella of “transgender persons”.

Even the Central Adoption and Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development does not recognise the existence of intersex infants and gender non-conforming children. The CARA records the adoption of gender non-conforming children as the ‘hijra child’.

Not every subject of the state needs to reach the court for recognition. The tribes living in Andaman and Nicobar, like Sentinelese, are not even aware of their rights or status, but these are recognised by the Constitution. The point we want to make here is that the existence and recognition of intersex infants and gender non-conforming children should come from the Court or the Government as a suo motu action; they should give recognition and agency to this voiceless group.

Considering the present issues of same-sex marriage, the Government of India’s proposal to form a committee to address the issues of the community is not sufficient. India is a nation with myriad indigenous traditions and diversity. As a host of G20, India must make the nation more inclusive and closer to its traditional/indigenous roots.

We propose that India’s current National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) formed under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, having representatives from across the nation, should be re-constituted as National SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expressions, and Sex Characteristics) Commission with a broader framework and powers to address grievances.

The Government should establish an independent body such as a Centre for SOGIESC Studies to offer regulatory, advisory and policy-making functions in matters related to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expressions and Sex Characteristics. The civil rights of marriage of people with diverse sex characteristics can be routed via this independent body. In fact, the Government can pass separate legislation specifically to provide the civil right of marriage to persons with diverse sex characteristics under Hindu traditions without intervening in the right of marriage of heterogeneous populations under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Even the instances of performing the customary rites of Hindu marriage for gender non-conforming couples by the Hindu priests is a not a new phenomenon. For instance, a Hindu priest by the name of Raja Gopal Bhattar has officiated more than 20 marriages of gender non-conforming people via Hindu marriage rites and ceremonies. On being asked about the ceremonies and acceptance, the priest clarified that the Hindu traditions accepts and recognise the gender non-conforming couples and the hence the marriage is right and just.

If the Supreme Court moots recognition of the right of marriage, it should recognise this right for non-heterogeneous marriage (not excluding people with diverse sex characteristics) and accept the same under Hindu Personal Laws. Hindu traditions are the valid proofs and reasons for the acceptance of non-heterogeneous marriage rights for people with diverse sex characteristics and sexual orientation.

Gopi Shankar Madurai is the first openly intersex statutory authority with the Government of India. Inputs from advocate Vijay Mishra, human rights researcher and Coordinator of the Intersex India project. 

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A school-board meeting in Dearborn, Michigan was shut down earlier this week by hundreds of protesters opposing the circulation of LGBTQ books across the city’s public-school system.

Viral videos of members of the Muslim community protesting against LGBTQ books in state-run public schools, have been circulating on Twitter.

Many of the protesters carried signs in English and Arabic: “Keep your dirty books in the closet,”, “If democracy matters, we’re the majority”, “Stop grooming our kids,” and “Homosexuality big sin.”

On Monday, a Dearborn Public Schools board meeting in Michigan was shut down as hundreds of Muslims protested the use of LGBTQ books. They held up signs in Arabic & English referencing they are in the majority & that homosexuality is sin.pic.twitter.com/0L5aFWqpNT

— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 13, 2022

Dearborn is a city in the U.S state of Michigan. It is home to the largest Muslim population in the United States per capita. It is also home to the largest mosque in the United States. The town elected its first Arab-American Mayor in 2021 with the support of the community’s support.

One of the community’s prominent religious leaders, Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini urged followers to attend the school-board meeting during his Friday sermon. “Some of those books are completely inappropriate for our children to read,” Al-Qazwini said. “Some of those books promote pornography. Some of them promote homosexuality. We don’t need this.”

The Dearborn incident is reminiscent of similar British Muslim protests against same-sex education. Weeks of protests wracked Birmingham when local schools sought to teach “LBGT-inclusive content” to young students. At one point, LGBT campaigners and their children were pelted with eggs by protesters, and about half the school’s students were voluntarily withdrawn from classes by parents.

This incident has brought attention to the changing demographics of the US. Over the last two decades, some states in the continental US have been turning into non-white majority populations according to Census bureau reports – New Mexico, California, Texas, Nevada, and Maryland.

Immigrants of all races and religions continue to make efforts to live or work in the USA. This includes large numbers of Indian immigrants as well.

There wasn’t much noise about the published statistics on the changing demographics, in most circles and the general American reaction to the changing demographics was a muted one. Sections of Americans are now beginning to take notice of the rise in Muslim populations, in certain neighborhoods.

The latest Pew Readeach numbers from 2015 show the country is home to an estimated 3.3 million Muslims of all ages — about 1.1 percent of the total US population. But by 2050, Pew researchers estimate Islam will supplant Judaism as the second-most popular religion in the US with Muslims ultimately making up 2.1 percent of the future population. According to reports, Islam is the fastest growing religion, in the US. Currently, the state of Michigan of which Dearborn is a part of, stands at 6th place with 1218 Muslims per 100 K residents.

Many Americans are anxious about “liberal”, left-wing organizations like ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) consistently questioning America and Americans on alleged discrimination against Muslims.

Can't wait to watch liberals short-circuit trying to pick a side https://t.co/De1ZEOP7Pj

— Leo Kearse – on YouTube & GB News (@LeoKearse) October 14, 2022

Liberals are in a quandary on who to support. The muslins or the LGBT community. https://t.co/AaNACjy3wt pic.twitter.com/iMOzm75VHS

— General (@TheGeneral_0) October 13, 2022

With the Dearborn incident , many concerned Americans are asking left wing media, left-liberal political parties or sections of such parties like the Democratic Party, if they are in support of such protests.

Citizens have expressed concern that conservative Islam and Sharia Law go against the fundamental idea of what the U.S stands for and the type of freedom and values it espouses.

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The Delhi High Court Wednesday (July 27, 2022) delivered its final order on Srishti Madurai Educational Trust vs Government of NCT of Delhi & Others to ban sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants and children and to implement the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights recommendations.

The High Court directed the Delhi Government to implement the recommendations prepared by intersex activists Gopi Shankar Madurai and Anjali Gopalan which asked the Government of Delhi to declare a ban on medically unnecessary, sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants and children except in cases of life-threatening situations.

The order also noted that Srishti Madurai can approach the Delhi High Court again if it is not satisfied with the implementation of the verdict.

Speaking to The Commune, Gopi Shankar Madurai who is also the South Region representative of the National Council for Transgender Persons (NTCP) said that he hopes that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will implement the order at the earliest and uphold the constitutional rights of Intersex infants & children in Delhi.

“I thank Advocate Shri Robin Raju for supporting intersex human rights and appearing pro bono in this case.”, he said.

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For the first time, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India has appointed a transgender person and activist, as the Member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Culture Fund.

Oorvasi Gandhi, a senior Transgender Rights Activist, born in Usilampatti, a small town in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, has been appointed as the non-officio member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Culture Fund.

She will be sharing the chair with esteemed people like Shri Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, Smt. Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Murty Foundation, etc.

Oorvasi left her home at a very early age and has always fought to break the shackles of the Trans/Hijra Jamaat system.

She has been working for the rural Transgender communities of Tamil Nadu for more than two decades and supported the rural transgender community in Tamil Nadu in obtaining their property rights and basic facilities like shelter, sanitation etc.

She is one of the few people who is working to protect the indigenous gender-variant communities’ tradition and spiritual spaces in Tamil Nadu.

She is also the first person who has been granted the right to inherit property under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

For the past seven years, she is closely involved with Srishti Madurai LGBT Student Volunteer Movement.

In past, she is amongst the very few people who have directly discussed the concerns of Transgender Rights and the implementation of the various projects with Bill Gates and Melinda Gates during their visit to Madurai.

She even developed a business model which has benefitted hundreds of Transgender persons in Tamil Nadu.

Oorvasi also sheltered hundreds of homeless LGBTQIA communities in her home and mentored them, now these transmen supported by her are part of Tamil Nadu Transgender Persons Welfare Board.

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G Harikumar, DSP of G1 Vepperi Police Station had allegedly asked well-known athlet Santhi Soundarajan to provide a certificate saying that she was a female.

Santhi who hails from Kathakurichi village in Pudukottai district belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. She is the first Tamil woman to win a medal at the Asian Games. She was stripped of the silver medal she won at the 2006 Asian Games for failing a ‘sex verification test’ which made her ineligible to participate in women’s competition.

The Supreme Court of India in NALSA v. Union of India case said that every person has the right to self-identify their gender. Subsequently, The Transgender (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 has codified the same and prohibited all forms of discrimination against Transgender Persons. Recently, the State of Tamil Nadu via the Government order dated 16 February 2022 amended the Tamil Nadu Police Officers’ Conduct Rules 1964 to include a new rule – ‘24C’ which enumerates that police officer shall not harass Transgender persons and the person working for the welfare of the said community.

In light of this, Nation Council For Transgender Persons South Representative Gopi Shankar Madurai condemned the police officer and has urge the concerned authorities to take action.

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The National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) has taken suo-motu cognizance of an article about athlete Shanthi Soundararajan published in Tamil magazine Kumudham, in which her coach had made objectionable reference to her gender identity.

The NCTP had also sought an on-record complaint from Santhi. In her complaint, Santhi alleged that her coach Rajan Abraham had repeatedly harassed her on the basis of her gender identity and caste.

NCTP Southern Representative Gopi Shankar Madurai issued a press release stating that the body has taken cognizance of the repeated harassment meted out to Santhi by her coach Rajan Abraham and the defamatory article published in Kumudham. He said that he will be taking necessary action against the media house and the journalist who wrote the article.

“I will be serving notices to Abraham Rajan, the media house and other competent authorities seeking an explanation for their biased actions. A complaint has also been filed by the Athlete Santhi Soundarajan and based on the response received from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and others concerned, a complaint will be lodged or the case will be taken up to the concerned authorities”, the press release by Gopi Shankar read.

The NCTP would file a criminal defamation complaint if it did not receive the replies within 30 days, he said.

Santhi who hails from Kathakurichi village in Pudukottai district belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. She is the first Tamil woman to win a medal at the Asian Games. She was stripped of the silver medal she won at the 2006 Asian Games for failing a ‘sex verification test’ which made her ineligible to participate in women’s competition. Rajan Abraham in his recent interview to Kumudham made remarks legitimising the gender test on Santhi, which was ruled unscientific by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2015.

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Members of the national and international human rights community has condemned the harassment meted out to Intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai who is the South Representative at the National Council for Transgender Persons.

“We the members of the national and international human rights community deeply condemn the human rights violation and inhumane treatment committed by the Revenue Inspector of Chengalpattu (Mahabalipuram) James, District Collector of Chengalpattu Rahul Nadh IAS, Police Inspector Mahabalipuram D. Natarajan on Gopi Shankar Madurai, South Region representative of the National Council for Transgender Persons (NTCP) and prominent intersex rights activist who has contributed a lot for the betterment of gender and sexual minorities”, the statement said.

“We are stunned by the behaviour of District Collector of Chengalpattu Rahul Nadh IAS who abused his power and acted in violation of principles of natural justice”, the statement further noted.

The joint statement also said that the authorities along with VAO Venkat Rajesh of Mahabalipuram verbally abused and insulted Gopi who was addressing grievances of the concerns of Transgender and gender non-confirming communities noting that Ze is empowered to do so under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights Act), 2019.

It said that due process of law should be followed and people involved should be given an opportunity to provide their account.

“We issue this statement in solidarity with the firm belief that any for of inhumane treatment, hatred, and violence against Gopi and SOGIESC community is an attack on all of us and the rights enshrined in the Supreme Constitution of India. We stand together to call for solidarity and support across our various communities.”, the statement said.

The signatories included:

1) Bangladesh Queer Partnership Platform- EQUAL, Bangladesh
2) Inclusive Bangladesh, Bangladesh
3) Noboprobhaat Social Welfare Society, Bangladesh
4) Prantoz Foundation, Bangladesh
5) Somota Foundation, Canada
7) Pathchola Foundation, Bangladesh
8) Nayyab Ali, Transgender Rights Activist, Pakistan
9) Tanveer Rouf, Queer and Vegan Activist, Bangladesh/Canada
10) Manisha Meem Nipun, Transgender Rights Activist, Bangladesh
11) Md Yasin Ali, Queer Rights Activist, Bangladesh
12) Tushar Kanti Baidya, Human Rights Activist, Bangladesh

Gopi Shankar had posted in his social media that the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu is trying to trap him into false cases by implicating him as a drug peddler.

Some of the other activists and organizations who have expressed solidarity to Gopi include

1. Anjali Gopalan – Founder of the Naz Foundation (India) Trust. New Delhi, India.

2. Henry Koh – Executive Director of ILGA Asia (The International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association, Bangkok, Thailand)

3. Iniyan Ellalan – Dalit Rights Activist, MC Rajah Youth Movement. Chennai and Madurai, India.

4. Ashok Row Kavi – Senior LGBTQ+ Rights Activist & Editor of Bombay Dost & Founder of Humsafar Trust.

5. Intersex Asia, Taiwan (through their statement of support from their official Facebook page).

6. Shalini Nair – Journalist & PhD candidate (UK & India)

7. Pallav Patankar – LGBTQ+ Rights Activist, Mumbai, India.

8. Advocate Prashant Singh – Human Rights Lawyer, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi

9. Advocate Vijay Mishra – Human Rights Lawyer, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi

10. Meghna Sharma – Disability Rights Activist, New Delhi

11. Grace Banu – Transgender & Dalit Rights Activist, Tamil Nadu, India.

12. Hayathi – Transgender Rights Activist, educator on Diversity & Workplace Inclusion, Bangalore, India.

13. Avantika Srivastava – Child Rights Activist, Uttar Pradesh.

14. Hamdan Abdullah – Equal rights activist. Founder of All India SOGIESC Muslims Forum, Kerala.

15. Zainab Javed Patel – National Council for Transgender Persons, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

16. Sohini Chattopadhyay – National Award (Swarna Kamal) Winning Critic, Writer & Journalist, West Bengal.

17. Ankit Bhuptani (Individual)

18. Queer Hindu Alliance (Organisation)

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The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought an ‘action taken report’ from the DGP of Tamil Nadu on the harassment and abuse meted out to trans-activist Gopi Shankar Madurai who is the southern representative at the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) by the Chengalpattu district administration.

Chengalpattu Collector Rahul Nadh IAS allegedly harassed the southern representative of the National Council for Transgender Persons, Gopi Shankar Madurai by initiating action against him and other fellow members of his community while they had gathered at a place to discuss the problems faced by the trans community. They were reportedly verbally abused and physically harassed by the Mahabalipuram police inspector and RI who later sealed the place of the fishermen community. The Chengalpattu District Administration had later filed cases against Gopi and the person who was sheltering him.

In this light, NCTP south representative Gopi had sought intervention from various government departments to initiate action against the Revenue Officer James, VAO Venkatesh Rajesh, and Dist Collector Rahul Nadh IAS.

However, Gopi has claimed that the DMK government is abusing its power and protecting the wrongdoers.

Earlier, the Intersex Asia, a Taiwan based human rights body has condemned the harassment meted out to Gopi and the trans community.

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