According to the Indian Psychiatric Society, LGBTQA individuals should be treated as citizens of the country and should be able to exercise all civil rights, including marriage and adoption.
The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) issued a position statement in support of same-sex marriage on Sunday, ahead of the Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution Bench deciding the validity of same-sex marriages in India, saying that individuals on the LGBTQA spectrum should be treated the same as all citizens of the country.
On September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court overturned Article 377, which criminalised homosexuality, in part because of the IPS's position statement that homosexuality is not an illness. It stated that the LGBTQA spectrum is a variation of normal sexuality, not a deviant or an illness.
Moreover, Indian psychiatrists have also noted that same-sex couples face a number of mental health issues due to social stigmatization and discrimination. These can include depression, anxiety, and even suicide. By legalising same-sex marriage, society can create a more accepting environment for all individuals, which can reduce the negative mental health effects of discrimination.
However, Indian psychiatrists also acknowledge that there are still some individuals and groups who hold traditional beliefs that oppose same-sex marriage. They encourage these individuals to educate themselves about the issue and to consider the benefits of same-sex marriage for both individuals and society as a whole.
©️ Vygr Media Private Limited 2022. All Rights Reserved.
