Anjali Gopalan, the founder of the Naz foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has been working on HIV/AIDS health issues since 1994, spoke to WION on the rights of same-sex couples who are seeking legalisation of their relationship.&nbsp;

At the outset of the conversation, Gopalan dismissed the joint statement dated 24 March, 2023 by the retired High Court Judges which listed out its reasoning as to why same-sex marriages should not be allowed in India.&nbsp;

For those who are unaware, the statement by these 21 former judges talks about how India will see an uptick in HIV/AIDS after same-sex marriage legalisation and how India's cultural roots are attacked by western practices. It also went on to define what is marriage.&nbsp;

To start with, Gopalan questioned the logic behind the aforementioned arguments in the statement.&nbsp;

"Their argument is that if we allow same-sex marriages, HIV infection will spread. Where is the logic in this? As a matter of fact in India, over 80 per cent cases are in heterosexual couples and women who have gotten infected have gotten it from their husbands."&nbsp;

"So what are they talking about? the HIV is more rampant in the heterosexual community in this country than it is in the gay community."&nbsp;

She also dispelled the argument that same-sex marriage is adopted from the western culture. The activist raised questions on how do we view marriage and how do we define it.&nbsp;

The rights activist explained that marriage it is not just doing the right thing for society's sake which is to get married by a certain age and have kids.&nbsp;

"One is supposed to be caring. So how we are valuing marriage any more or any less than the west," Gopalan said adding, "We need to get off sanctimonous horse in this culture." &nbsp;

When asked about the instances of homosexual people coming out at Naz foundation, Gopalan's voice turned heavy as a wave of emotions made their way into the conversation.&nbsp;

Gopalan said, "This is what always make my heart ache. They are young people asking me 'Is there a medicine to make me stop feeling this way... to stop feeling attracted to the same sex. It really breaks my heart because it is not a disease but this is what the society does, it devalues people in their own eyes so much."&nbsp;

"As far as I am concerned, if you are not going to value yourself you are not going to protect yourself from HIV, which is a highly preventable infection."

But Naz founder Anjali Gopalan has all the faith in the Indian Judiciary. "My only hope is the court."&nbsp;

Recalling the 2018 Supreme Court verdict when the apex court decriminalized homosexuality, she said, "the government of that time which was not the same regime as now had also taken the same stance (opposing the move)... that it goes against our values, our moral ethos, it is a western concept and all of that. But the court did the right thing. They stood by people."&nbsp;

"If you think about it logically, we are living in a democracy where we are denying a bunch of our citizens the rights which are guaranteed in the constitution and the rights everyone should have by virtue of being the citizens of this country. And we are denying it based on who they love and who they care about and who they want to spend their rest of the lives with."&nbsp;

She defiantly shattered the belief that marriage rights should exclusively be for heterosexual people. "Why is that rights are only for heterosexual people to adopt or to bring up a family."&nbsp;

To make a case in point, she gave a challenge to those people who argue that same-sex marriages cannot create a home which is stable.&nbsp;

"I am saying please go to family court. Just for half a day sit there and listen to their cases. By that logic, no heterosexual couple should ever have home and ever have children. So what are we talking about? They refuse to believe that gay people are more than capable of loving, caring and creating a stable and a loving home. It is not a prerogative of straight people alone."&nbsp;

Naz foundation is focused on HIV/AIDS related issues. It carries out trainings, do counsellings and linkages to government Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres. It also runs a home for children living with HIV. All of its work is through the lens of HIV prevention and care.&nbsp;

Gopalan said that the foundation has been working with the LGBTQ community since the inception of the trust in 1994. "We have reached out to thousands from within the community."

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Anjali Gopalan, the founder of the Naz foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has been working on HIV/AIDS health issues since 1994, spoke to WION on the rights of same-sex couples who are seeking legalisation of their relationship.

Anjali Gopalan, the founder of the Naz foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has been working on HIV/AIDS health issues since 1994, spoke to WION on the rights of same-sex couples who are seeking legalisation of their relationship. At the outset of the conversation, Gopalan dismissed the joint statement dated 24 March, 2023 by the retired High Court Judges which listed out its reasoning as to why same-sex marriages should not be allowed in India. For those who are unaware, the statement by these 21 former judges talks about how India will see an uptick in HIV/AIDS after same-sex marriage legalisation and how India's cultural roots are attacked by western practices. It also went on to define what is marriage. To start with, Gopalan questioned the logic behind the aforementioned arguments in the statement. "Their argument is that if we allow same-sex marriages, HIV infection will spread. Where is the logic in this? As a matter of fact in India, over 80 per cent cases are in heterosexual couples and women who have gotten infected have gotten it from their husbands." "So what are they talking about? the HIV is more rampant in the heterosexual community in this country than it is in the gay community." She also dispelled the argument that same-sex marriage is adopted from the western culture. The activist raised questions on how do we view marriage and how do we define it. The rights activist explained that marriage it is not just doing the right thing for society's sake which is to get married by a certain age and have kids. "One is supposed to be caring. So how we are valuing marriage any more or any less than the west," Gopalan said adding, "We need to get off sanctimonous horse in this culture." When asked about the instances of homosexual people coming out at Naz foundation, Gopalan's voice turned heavy as a wave of emotions made their way into the conversation. Gopalan said, "This is what always make my heart ache. They are young people asking me 'Is there a medicine to make me stop feeling this way... to stop feeling attracted to the same sex. It really breaks my heart because it is not a disease but this is what the society does, it devalues people in their own eyes so much." "As far as I am concerned, if you are not going to value yourself you are not going to protect yourself from HIV, which is a highly preventable infection." But Naz founder Anjali Gopalan has all the faith in the Indian Judiciary. "My only hope is the court." Recalling the 2018 Supreme Court verdict when the apex court decriminalized homosexuality, she said, "the government of that time which was not the same regime as now had also taken the same stance (opposing the move)... that it goes against our values, our moral ethos, it is a western concept and all of that. But the court did the right thing. They stood by people." "If you think about it logically, we are living in a democracy where we are denying a bunch of our citizens the rights which are guaranteed in the constitution and the rights everyone should have by virtue of being the citizens of this country. And we are denying it based on who they love and who they care about and who they want to spend their rest of the lives with." She defiantly shattered the belief that marriage rights should exclusively be for heterosexual people. "Why is that rights are only for heterosexual people to adopt or to bring up a family." To make a case in point, she gave a challenge to those people who argue that same-sex marriages cannot create a home which is stable. "I am saying please go to family court. Just for half a day sit there and listen to their cases. By that logic, no heterosexual couple should ever have home and ever have children. So what are we talking about? They refuse to believe that gay people are more than capable of loving, caring and creating a stable and a loving home. It is not a prerogative of straight people alone." Naz foundation is focused on HIV/AIDS related issues. It carries out trainings, do counsellings and linkages to government Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres. It also runs a home for children living with HIV. All of its work is through the lens of HIV prevention and care. Gopalan said that the foundation has been working with the LGBTQ community since the inception of the trust in 1994. "We have reached out to thousands from within the community." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Is there a medicine to stop this...?' Naz founder Anjali Gopalan shares internal battles homosexuals fight

On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless.&nbsp;

“The introduction of the system in Tokyo is extremely positive…But partnership is not enough. We basically want legal marriage,” said Soshi Matsuoka, the head of Fair, an LGBTQ rights organization in Tokyo, to the local media. Notably, Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies that does not allow same-sex marriage or civil unions. However, several polls have reportedly indicated that people are largely in favour of same-sex unions.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website, the system is open for couples of whom at least one partner lives, works or studies in the country’s capital city. The couple must be at least 18 years old and not already married or in a partnership. The website also indicated that the applications must be online, the certificates for which will be available from November 1.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-at-turning-point-for-lgbtq-rights-campaigners-390341">Japan at 'turning point' for LGBTQ rights: Campaigners</a>

Local government partnership certification systems have already been introduced in several municipalities across Japan. However, since Tokyo accounts for more than 10% of the country’s population (125 million) its change in policies has a larger impact, said media reports.&nbsp;

Japan has an ageing as well as a shrinking population and the lack of provisions like same-sex marriages, it could adversely affect the country’s ability to compete for talent against dozens of countries who have legalised marriage equality, said industry bodies. However, incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the conservative, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reportedly urged caution on the issue.&nbsp;

While the general public attitudes have been increasingly positive in recent years, some conservative lawmakers are not entirely on board. Earlier this month, an LDP assemblyman in Aichi Prefecture, Noboru Watanabe, was forced to issue an apology following an online post, where he called same-sex marriage “disgusting”, said the local media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-in-major-blow-to-lgbtq-rights-court-rules-same-sex-marriage-ban-is-not-unconstitutional-489900">Japan: In major blow to LGBTQ rights, court rules same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional</a>

Meanwhile, there have been a series of legal cases challenging Japan’s stance of not recognising same-sex marriage. Earlier this year, in March, marked a partial win for the LGBTQ community in the country with a Japanese court ruling that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is “unconstitutional”, which set a precedent for the right in the future.&nbsp;

However, the victory was short-lived as another court in Osaka ruled against the marriage equality right in the month of June. Furthermore, last month in another court ruling the US-national same-sex spouse of a Japanese citizen was refused residency rights and said it was unconstitutional, reported the media, saying that the two had gotten married in the US.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless.

On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless. “The introduction of the system in Tokyo is extremely positive…But partnership is not enough. We basically want legal marriage,” said Soshi Matsuoka, the head of Fair, an LGBTQ rights organization in Tokyo, to the local media. Notably, Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies that does not allow same-sex marriage or civil unions. However, several polls have reportedly indicated that people are largely in favour of same-sex unions. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website, the system is open for couples of whom at least one partner lives, works or studies in the country’s capital city. The couple must be at least 18 years old and not already married or in a partnership. The website also indicated that the applications must be online, the certificates for which will be available from November 1. ALSO READ: Japan at 'turning point' for LGBTQ rights: Campaigners Local government partnership certification systems have already been introduced in several municipalities across Japan. However, since Tokyo accounts for more than 10% of the country’s population (125 million) its change in policies has a larger impact, said media reports. Japan has an ageing as well as a shrinking population and the lack of provisions like same-sex marriages, it could adversely affect the country’s ability to compete for talent against dozens of countries who have legalised marriage equality, said industry bodies. However, incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the conservative, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reportedly urged caution on the issue. While the general public attitudes have been increasingly positive in recent years, some conservative lawmakers are not entirely on board. Earlier this month, an LDP assemblyman in Aichi Prefecture, Noboru Watanabe, was forced to issue an apology following an online post, where he called same-sex marriage “disgusting”, said the local media. ALSO READ: Japan: In major blow to LGBTQ rights, court rules same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional Meanwhile, there have been a series of legal cases challenging Japan’s stance of not recognising same-sex marriage. Earlier this year, in March, marked a partial win for the LGBTQ community in the country with a Japanese court ruling that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is “unconstitutional”, which set a precedent for the right in the future. However, the victory was short-lived as another court in Osaka ruled against the marriage equality right in the month of June. Furthermore, last month in another court ruling the US-national same-sex spouse of a Japanese citizen was refused residency rights and said it was unconstitutional, reported the media, saying that the two had gotten married in the US. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan: Tokyo opens applications for same-sex partnership system

'Love is love': Countries where same-sex marriage and surrogacy is legal

There is a wind of change blowing across Asia. After Singapore, Vietnam has taken a progressive step towards recognising the rights of the LBTQ+ community. Reportedly, in a paradigm shift, Vietnam's health ministry&nbsp;confirmed&nbsp;that being gay, bisexual or transgender is not an illness.

Citing the World Health Organization’s removal from its list of mental illnesses in 1990, the new directive by Hanoi stated:

“The American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed that homosexuality is entirely not an illness, therefore homosexuality cannot be ‘cured’ nor needs to be ‘cured’ and cannot be converted in any way.”&nbsp;

“Do not coerce members of these groups into medical treatment. If any, only provide psychiatric help, which must be conducted by experts with knowledge of gender identities.” it further added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-marriage-to-the-death-penalty-lgbtq-rights-across-the-globe-509186#a-crime-in-africa-509179">IN PICS |&nbsp;From marriage to death penalty: LGBTQIA rights across the globe</a>

The directive was sent across the country to provincial and municipal health departments. According to local reports, the ministry released the statement to remove stigma after it was revealed that there were&nbsp;a growing number of medical institutes claiming to cure 'homosexuality'.&nbsp;

Simultaneously, the ministry advised&nbsp;medical professionals that they should treat the people from the rainbow community without any discrimination and with the utmost respect.&nbsp;

It was in 2014 that Vietnam&nbsp;decriminalised same-sex relationships. However, a certain stigma still prevailed. Experts believe that this gesture of educating the masses that same-sex relationship is not an illness might go a long way in improving the landscape for queer groups.&nbsp;

The next milestone for the LGBTQ+ activists is getting the authorities to repeal the same-sex marriage ban.&nbsp;

As reported by WION, the announcement by Vietnam comes days after another south east asian country in Singapore repealed the archaic colonial-era law to lift ban on gay sex.&nbsp;

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/singapore-lifts-ban-on-gay-sex-repeals-section-377a-but-upholds-marriage-ban-508900">Singapore lifts ban on gay sex, repeals Section 377A, but upholds marriage ban</a>

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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&nbsp;

There is a wind of change blowing across Asia. After Singapore, Vietnam has taken a progressive step towards recognising the rights of the LBTQ+ community. Reportedly, in a paradigm shift, Vietnam's health ministry confirmed that being gay, bisexual or transgender is not an illness.

There is a wind of change blowing across Asia. After Singapore, Vietnam has taken a progressive step towards recognising the rights of the LBTQ+ community. Reportedly, in a paradigm shift, Vietnam's health ministry confirmed that being gay, bisexual or transgender is not an illness. Citing the World Health Organization’s removal from its list of mental illnesses in 1990, the new directive by Hanoi stated: “The American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed that homosexuality is entirely not an illness, therefore homosexuality cannot be ‘cured’ nor needs to be ‘cured’ and cannot be converted in any way.” “Do not coerce members of these groups into medical treatment. If any, only provide psychiatric help, which must be conducted by experts with knowledge of gender identities.” it further added. IN PICS | From marriage to death penalty: LGBTQIA rights across the globe The directive was sent across the country to provincial and municipal health departments. According to local reports, the ministry released the statement to remove stigma after it was revealed that there were a growing number of medical institutes claiming to cure 'homosexuality'. Simultaneously, the ministry advised medical professionals that they should treat the people from the rainbow community without any discrimination and with the utmost respect. It was in 2014 that Vietnam decriminalised same-sex relationships. However, a certain stigma still prevailed. Experts believe that this gesture of educating the masses that same-sex relationship is not an illness might go a long way in improving the landscape for queer groups. The next milestone for the LGBTQ+ activists is getting the authorities to repeal the same-sex marriage ban. As reported by WION, the announcement by Vietnam comes days after another south east asian country in Singapore repealed the archaic colonial-era law to lift ban on gay sex. Read More: Singapore lifts ban on gay sex, repeals Section 377A, but upholds marriage ban (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Vietnam takes a progressive step: Declares being LGBTQ+ is not an illness

Priests oppose Vatican decree against same-sex unions

Pope Francis has publicly endorsed same-sex civil unions for the very first time. In a documentary, the head of the catholic church urged for a civil union law that would allow LGBTQ+ people to be in a family.

Pope Francis calls for civil union laws for same-sex couples