Updated On: 20 April, 2024 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshan Kalyanikar
Suhail Abbasi, co-founder and chairperson of city-based Humsafar Trust, says this is likely the first time the word ‘queer’ finds mention in a government document

The central government’s notification to form the committee comes in wake of Supreme Court judgment on same-sex marriage. File pic
Even as the central government has formed a committee to examine various issues related to the queer community, the members of the community are unsure of its implications due to the wordings. The central government’s notification to form the committee comes in wake of the Supreme Court judgment on same-sex marriage.  
 
The committee is headed by the cabinet secretary and the social justice department secretary will be its convener. It includes as members the secretaries from other central departments like the home affairs, women and child development, health and family welfare, and the legislative department under the law ministry. “It is likely for the first time that a government notification finds mention of the word ‘queer’. While there are some progressive things mentioned in it, nothing can be certain because the notification also uses the word ‘may’,” said Suhail Abbasi, co-founder and chairperson of city-based Humsafar Trust.
The notification states that the committee “may examine and submit the recommendation on measures to be taken by the Centre and states in ensuring no discrimination in access to goods and services for the queer community.”