TN Medical Council declares change of gender identity of LGBTQIA+ as misconduct [Read Notification]

In a significant decision, Tamil Nadu State Medical Council (TNMC) has notified the conversion therapy of LGBTQIA+ persons as a professional misconduct and warned of disciplinary action against medicos who undertake any attempt or intervention to change the sexual orientation/gender identity of a person.

In an order issued on December 2, the TNMC registrar, Dr R Shanmugam, said the Ethics and Medical Registration Board, National Medical Commission, has issued a notification terming the conversion therapy as professional misconduct under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002.

The notification was issued in compliance with the directions issued by the Madras High Court in its July 8, 2022, order.

The TNMC said it is conferred with powers to take disciplinary action on any complaint received concerning any attempt/interventions to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person, which is commonly referred to as conversion therapy.

(it) will be construed as professional misconduct on the part of the medical professionals, and appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with the existing rules, the notification said.

[Read Notification]