UCA News
Contribute

Indian court states gays not same as transgender, clerics agree

Sexual orientation is totally different from biological orientation, says priest
Indian court states gays not same as transgender, clerics agree
Published: July 01, 2016 11:30 AM GMT
Updated: July 01, 2016 11:34 AM GMT

Church leaders in India are siding with the Supreme Court's clarification that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are not the same as transgender people.

The court's clarification June 30 came after the federal government expressed confusion in implementing its 2014 judgment recognizing transgender people as the "third gender" so as to give them a dignified life, as it did not include gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

The court threatened to levy costs for the delay in implementing the verdict, which directs the government to treat transgender people as a socially backward class and provide them incentives in government jobs and educational institutions.

"This is basic common sense and self-explanatory. How can gays and lesbians be a part of the transgender category," Father Savari Muthu, spokesperson of Delhi Archdiocese told ucanews.com.

He said that the term transgender is related to gender while gay and lesbian relations pertain to sexual orientation.

Father Z. Devasagayaraj, an official with the Indian Catholic bishops' conference  told ucanews.com that sexual orientation is totally different from biological orientation.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia