Why educational institutions fail to discard the queer prejudice? The queers have been fighting for their rights since the 19th Century. Various NGOs and LGBTQ allies have been making people aware of this neglected section of society. It was a long struggle until people knew that the LBTQ community existed, and now it’s a long way until society includes the community and accepts them.
Tragically, educational places that should be imparting knowledge are themselves going through social prejudice.
The students who are trained to become doctors and save the lives of people are taught homophobia. The textbooks were supposed to teach the students about the gender-inclusive doctoral study. This discrimination is such that based on their gender identity, the queer community is not considered a part of the man-kind.
Tireless battles on all fronts to form an inclusive society
On 31st August, the Madras high court considered a significant petition that called out for the homophobic content in the MBBS textbooks.
A writ petition was jointly filed by two NGOs named Queerythm and Disha based in Kerala.
The write petitioners have argued that homophobic content in the textbooks violates LGBTQIA+ people’s rights under article 14,17,19,21 of the constitution – Bar and Bench reported.
A division bench of chief justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly directed the board to redress their grievances and take immediate action to remove the discriminatory remarks from MBBS textbooks.
The outdated parts that need to be reviewed
The textbooks of forensic medicine and toxicology, and psychiatry subjects contain unscientific information about virginity. Related to this, the other branches of the scientific community follow the same steps.
In textbooks, the petitioners pointed out inhuman and discriminatory remarks against their community — references like “they consist of a group of people suffering from mental disorder, perversion and flaunting such identity is an offence.” Among them, there were several other readings highlighted:
The 16th edition of Shaw’s Textbook of Gynecology describes homosexuality, ‘transvestism’ (cross-dressing), and transsexuality as ‘abnormal sexual behaviors’ and ‘psychosexual patients.’
A review of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology further has also made absurd statements like “lesbians are morbidly jealous of one another when rejected may commit homicide, suicide or both. It (lesbianism) is usually indulged by women who have repulsion for men or who suffer from Nymphomania.”
Meanwhile, the review of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology by Gautam Biswas (third edition) classifies homosexuality as a ‘sexual offence.’ The book has also wrongly stated that as per Section 377 (Unnatural offenses) of the Indian Penal Code, homosexuality is a crime. However, in a historic verdict three years back, the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality, but the petition alleged this had not been revised.
The Textbook of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Principles and Practice by Krishnan Vij (5th edition) calls transgender persons’ prostitutes. The petitioners have also pointed to books like Essentials of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology by KSN Reddy (33rd edition); Forensic medicine & Toxicology for MBBS by Anil Aggarwal (1st edition), to have similarly made inappropriate remarks on sexual minorities.
Even though homosexual sex has been decriminalized and the Supreme Court has recognized the rights of trans persons, the petitioners say, the MBBS curriculum continues to prescribe discriminatory readings.
The effect of queerphobic content on the lives of queers
In its August order, the Madras high court mentioned that the aim of treating queer patients is not the “cure” of their gender or sexual identity. The court referred to the prescription given by a psychiatrist to a Queer gendered, and the doctor had prescribed him two anti-depressants and erectile dysfunction drugs.
“This lack of knowledge on the part of the concerned psychiatrist is directly attributable to the course that was undergone by him and which is yet to be revamped and brought up to date,” the High Court said.
It had added: “Queerphobia is being reaffirmed as legitimate throughout the education of a doctor who might go on to become a psychiatrist or any physician who might be approached by a person from the community.”
The students pursuing MBBS are bullied by their peers because of the content in their textbooks. The bullying is obvious as they are taught that being a lesbian is unnatural or are perverts and prostitutes. They take this mindset into the world and treat their patients accordingly.
Actions were now taken to involve a gender-inclusive study
The NMC, National Medical Commission, has said, “All the medical universities, colleges, institutions are requested that while teaching UG and PG students, whenever the issue of gender or similar kind arise, the mention of clinical history or complains or signs/symptoms, examination findings or history about nomenclature should not be taught in such a way that it becomes/perceived in any way derogatory, discriminatory or insulting to LGBTQA+ community.”
Further, all the authors of medical textbooks are hereby instructed to amend the information about virginity, LGBTQA+ community and homosexuals, etc. in their textbooks according to the available scientific literature, guidelines issued by the government, and directions passed by the hon’ble courts.
The community is cautiously optimistic about the developments and hopes the changes be made soon while moving towards the next battle for inclusivity.
I hope this article helpful to you to know why educational institutions fail to discard the queer prejudice?
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