'She should live her life on her own terms': Kerala HC on transwoman being forced to undergo conversion therapy
Thiruvananthapuram/IBNS: The Kerala High Court has jumped to the aid of a 19-year-old transwoman, who was allegedly forced to undergo conversion therapy by her family, media reports said.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to cause a non-heterosexual person to become heterosexual by using psychoanalysis, behaviour modification, spiritual counselling, etc.
A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and PM Manoj stated the transwoman has the right to live her life on her own terms.
The High Court stated as quoted by Bar and Bench, "It is for the said reason, that she has expressed her desire to live on her own. We are of the view that the choice and desire expressed by her needs to be respected and she should be permitted to live her life on her own terms."
The court passed the order in response to a plea moved by the woman's friend claiming the 19-year-old has been subjected to physical and mental torture by her family over her gender identity.
The petitioner claimed the transwoman was subjected to torture even since she revealed her gender identity.
The court last week asked the parents to appear before it.
The court had a talk with the parents subsequently on July 1.
"We also wish to note the submission of her parents that the doors of their home will always remain open to her. They have further requested that, as Ms. X is facing issues related to gender dysphoria, she be allowed to consult a doctor of her choice.
"They also stated that if Ms. X chooses to undergo any treatment, they shall finance the same, as at present, Ms. X is unemployed and on her own," the court order said as quoted by Bar and Bench.
Adding to the claims made by the petitioner, the 19-year-old, who says she was born as a male but now identifies as a transwoman, alleged she was given medication without her consent.
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