#NoMoreInstitutionalisedQueerphobia: Remove unscientific & queerphobic contents from Indian medical curriculum

The world is becoming more & more queer inclusive, thanks to medical science and organisations like WHO & American Psychiatric Association(APA) for their constant efforts in changing the age-old notion of viewing queer identities as mental illness/spiritual abomination; to normal variants of human sexuality & gender based on emerging scientific evidences. As we know, APA has declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in its 2nd edition of Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM) published in 1973 & WHO removed it from its 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases(ICD) in 1990. Recently transgender identity also has been removed from DSM in 2013 & from ICD in 2018. Following suit, Supreme Court of India has recognized Transgender as a Gender Identity in its historic NALSA judgement of 2014 and legalized consensual homosexuality between adults in 2018(Amending IPC 377 and decriminalized Homosexuality). The apex court has opined that classifying sexual offenses as 'natural' and 'unnatural' is both absurd & legally invalid and instead rightly upheld the importance of mutual consent in determining whether a sexual activity amounts to criminal offence or not.

At the same time, it is rather shocking to observe that most medical textbooks especially those of forensic medicine taught in Indian universities still classify queer identities as mental illnesses/sexual perversions & portray LGBTIQA+ community members as indecent creatures having a criminal mindset. More than being unscientific, it is also inhuman to stigmatise an already marginalised & discriminated community, who are constantly fighting for their basic human rights; and instill hatred into young medical students who will become doctors and are going to treat members of the same community in future. Despite multiple appeals from Community Organisations and allies, the revised undergraduate curriculum published by Medical Council of India in 2018 failed to address the matter. We appeal everyone to support this petition so that it reaches the authorities of National Medical Commission, various medical universities and institutions as well as the publications and authors of Indian medical textbooks; to accept responsibility and take immediate steps to rectify this gross violation of Human Rights.

We, Queerythm LGBTIQ Community appealing everyone to support us to end this phobic attempt and hatred. Let's spread scientific and rational knowledge instead of false and unscientific. Let's make a better world of diversity with love.