[Same Sex Relationship] Madras High Court Refers Same Sex Couple & Their Parents For Counselling To LGBTQI+Specialist

The Madras High Court has referred the parents of a same-sex couple to a counselor specialising in LGBTQ+ issues.

The Single Bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh of Madras High Court was hearing a plea filed by same sex partners seeking directions to Inspector of Police to not cause harassment to the petitioners & ensure that there is no danger from their parents to their life & limb.

“It would have been possible for me to pack my Order with a lot of research material and get applauded by the outside world for rendering a scholarly Order. There was a call from inside which kept reminding me that if I venture into such an exercise at this stage, it will only be hypocritical of me since the Order will not reveal my true and honest feeling about this very important issue. To be open, I am also trying to break my own preconceived notions about this issue and I am in the process of evolving, and sincerely attempting to understand the feelings of the Petitioners and their parents thereafter, and proceed to write a detailed Order on this issue. That is the reason why I am trying to develop this case brick by brick and ultimately, construct something purposeful on this issue.”, Justice N Anand Venkatesh remarked. 

Factual Matrix:

In the present matter, the 1st petitioner aged about 22 years & 2nd petitioner aged about 20 years who knew each other for the last two years fell in love. They are a couple of the same-sex.

When the petitioner’s parents came to know about them, they started opposing & pressuring them & thus the petitioners left Madurai on 09.02.2021 to Chennai. The parents also filed complaints & two FIR’s were registered as a girl missing case. 

On 22.03.2021, the Court considering that the case in hand required to be dealt with sensitivity & empathy, ordered to be heard in-camera & posted the matter for hearing in the Judge’s Chamber. 

“This Court after spending sufficient time with the parties prima facie got an impression that the parties will work towards a peaceful resolution, and what is required for the present is an understanding of the issue in hand. The parents were informed that the present status quo will be maintained and the Petitioners will continue to be under the protection of the above said organisation. The parents were ready for this arrangement and the only request made by them was that they should have regular interaction with the Petitioners. The Petitioners also agreed to interact with their parents on a regular basis.”, the Bench also noted. 

The matter is now listed for 28.04.2021.