CENTRE ESTABLISHES A PANEL, LED BY CABINET SECY, FOR QUEER COMMUNITY.

Why in the news?

Centre forms committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary to address issues of queer community following Supreme Court’s directive.

source:medium

About Committee Composition:

  • Following the Supreme Court’s decision against legal recognition of same-sex marriages, the Centre fulfils its commitment by establishing a committee.
  • The gazette notification references the Supreme Court’s directive from October 2023 to constitute a committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to address queer community issues.
  • The six-member committee will include secretaries from key ministries: Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Law Ministry.
  • This diverse panel aims to comprehensively examine various concerns related to the queer community.
About Queer ?

  • Queer is a term encompassing non-heterosexual and non-cisgender individuals.
  • Historically used negatively, it was reclaimed by activists in the late 1980s.
  • It serves as a radical alternative within the LGBT community.

What does LGBTQIA+ signify?

  • Lesbian: Women attracted to other women romantically, emotionally, or physically.
  • Gay: People attracted to the same sex romantically, emotionally, or physically.
  • Bisexual: Attracted to people of the same or multiple genders.
  • Transgender: Gender identity differs from birth sex; may use various terms to describe themselves.
  • Intersex: Born with variations in sex characteristics that don’t fit typical binary definitions.
  • Queer/Questioning: Uncertain or exploring sexual or gender identity.
  • Asexual: Experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-notifies-panel-led-by-cabinet-secretary-on-issues-of-queer-community-9274385/#:~:text=In%20line%20with%20an%20undertaking,issues%20relating%20to%20queer%20community.%E2%80%9D