In January, the Supreme Court Collegium had reiterated its November 11, 2021 recommendation for appointing Kirpal as a judge of the Delhi high court, rejecting the Centre's contention that though homosexuality stands decriminalised in India, same-sex marriage is still bereft of recognition.
'A recruiter has no legitimate basis to ask whether you are married, in a same-sex relationship or planning to transition,' says Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal & Associates.
FIFA has confirmed that rainbow flags will be permitted at the World Cup match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, which coincides with the city's Pride weekend. This decision comes despite objections from Egypt and Iran, where homosexuality is criminalised, and FIFA's attempt to distance itself from the "Pride Match" designation, stating it's a local initiative.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, which provides graded punishment for bodily harm to transgender persons, has been approved by the President of India. The bill has faced criticism from opposition MPs for excluding gays and lesbians and for the establishment of an authority to determine transgender status.
The bill was passed by both houses of the state legislature during the winter session in Belagavi that concluded on December 19 last year, despite strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-Secular.
Maya Thakur, a transgender icon, advocates for amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, to include self-identification and protect transgender individuals who wish to remain independent from traditional eunuch communities.
The Lok Sabha has approved an amendment to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, sparking debate over its impact on LGBTQ rights and the definition of 'transgender' in Indian law.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a comprehensive advisory to all states and Union Territories, recommending mandatory annual POSH audits and other measures to strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The advisory aims to ensure safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive working environments for women across all sectors, emphasising institutional accountability, proper committee constitution, and robust awareness programmes.
The Indian Parliament has passed a bill amending the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, focusing on biological discrimination and excluding social orientations from its scope. The bill aims to provide legal recognition and protection to transgender individuals facing discrimination due to biological issues, while also introducing graded punishments for harm inflicted on them.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has submitted a fact-finding report to the Maharashtra government, revealing pervasive sexual harassment, systemic bullying, and zero compliance with the POSH Act at the Nashik unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The report details a toxic workplace environment and recommends strict action and compliance with the POSH Act.
Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists are calling for the withdrawal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, citing concerns that the proposed changes could dilute the rights of transgender individuals.
NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande has urged the government to withdraw the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026, arguing that it undermines the right to self-determination of gender identity and was drafted without adequate consultation.
India's first male ballet dancer began learning the dance form at the advanced age of 19. Eleven years later, his passion for ballet continues to shine brightly.
Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists are urging the withdrawal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, citing concerns that the proposed changes could weaken the rights of transgender individuals.
Malaika Arora and Sunny Leone understood that the assignment wasn't just to 'look amazing' (which they did). They were lending their star power to something that genuinely matters.
"Yoga is about acceptance and coming to terms with who you really are, your purest core," says yoga teacher Deepika Mehta. "It helps you shed the layers imposed by society. And in my experience, yoga has helped a lot of people come to terms with their sexual orientation, rather than live in denial."
The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.
'Once the actual scope is understood, it becomes evident that the framework is about internal redress and course correction, and in no way criminalisation.'
If you want to inspire the young workforce, focus on building transparency, purpose and social responsibility, says notes Varun Sachdeva, SVP and APAC head, NLB Services.
Being in love with your sister's husband is morally wrong, advises rediffGURU Ravi Mittal, CEO, Quack Quack.
Metro...In Dino's assembly of actors exhaust all their charm at the end of this messy musing on metropolitan monotony, observes SUkanya Verma.
The judge also said that even an accidental physical contact, though unwelcome, would not amount to sexual harassment.
Dr Ramakanta Panda's unique exhibition, titled Heartbeats -- Wildlife, Our Shared Future, features a compelling collection of over 200 photographs centred around the theme of wildlife conservation.
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday said the State has an obligation to recognise unions entered into by queer couples and grant them benefit under the law.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was acting on a batch of pleas against the blanket ban on blood donations by such persons from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Non-heterosexual unions and heterosexual marriages ought to be considered as two sides of the same coin, both in terms of recognition and consequential benefits, Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said as he lamented that the only deficiency at present is the absence of a suitable regulatory framework for such unions.
The non-governmental organisation chaired by Gohil, Lakshya Trust, has recently won the 'UNAID Civil Society Award 2006' for its contribution in preventing HIV/AIDS among homosexual men.
The bench said, given the pressing nature of the crisis, particularly in cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where students migrate in large numbers, immediate interim safeguards are the call of the day.
Take this simple quiz and find out if you know these common LGBTQIA terms.
While the Supreme Court collegium has recently approved the proposal for Kirpal's elevation to the Delhi high court bench which was a matter of controversy due to his sexual orientation, the elevation would be subject to Centre's approval.
The bench says discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is deeply offensive to the dignity of an individual.
The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court, which is hearing arguments on a clutch of pleas seeking legal sanction for same sex marriages, that arguments about freedom of sexual orientation and autonomy may be raised in future to challenge incest prohibition.
Bisexual men, according to a study, have a higher risk for heart disease.
Words like eve-teasing, prostitute, and housewife may soon be out of the legal lexicon and will be replaced by terms like street sexual harassment, sex worker and homemaker.
In an interview to Vogue, Cara Delevingne speaks about finding love and coming to terms with her sexuality.
Geethu Mohandas's third film will look at gangsterism from a female gaze.
Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.
The Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday filed a complaint against the Congress and the Hamirpur Youth Congress Club for allegedly portraying actor and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, in a negative light by using pictures from her films.
The three-member Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, said the proposal for appointment of Kirpal as a judge of the high court has been pending for over five years and needs to be processed expeditiously.
In accordance with Supreme Court directives to the states, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved MP Mob Lynching Victim Compensation Scheme 2023, said minister for medical education Vishwas Sarang after the cabinet meeting.
