Queer Non-Binary Lawyer Writes To SC For Inclusivity On Gender Sensitisation Committee

Rohin Bhatt a non-binary lawyer, wrote to the Supreme Court judge Hima Kohli for gender inclusivity and queer representation on the gender sensitisation committee and the courts.

Bhatt's letter to the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee received four recommendations for marking the beginning of gender sensitivity in courts.

Bhatt made a point in his letter to Justice Kohli that more queer lawyers have been joining courtrooms today than before. Therefore, it becomes imperative he states in his letter to have an inclusive infrastructure and be an ally to the queer community. There are privileges enjoyed by cis-gendered heterosexual lawyers and the same should be structurally given to queer lawyers.

Inclusivity Reforms Proposed To The Supreme Court Gender Sensitisation Committee

Bhatt conveyed that queer advocates need to feel that their positions are affirmed during practicing. Infrastructure at the Supreme Court needs to support this cause.

Despite the Chief Justice being notified of queer-inclusive appearance slip exercising liberty for gender-inclusive pronouns for advocates, that change is yet to be made. Separate columns for gender-inclusive pronouns ensure that advocates are not misgendered.

Bhatt revealed that queer advocates are often misgendered in courts. Sometimes their prefixes are changed or eliminated. Sometimes their appearances are not even recorded in court.

Furthermore, courts in India do not have gender-neutral restrooms. Therefore, non-binary, queer advocates find themselves barred from accessing this essential amenity.

Additionally, Bhatt pointed out in his letter that none of the eleven members of the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee represent the queer committee which renders the motive of the committee questionable.

In their letter, Bhatt made four reform proposals for the deliberation of Justice Hima Kohli.

Bhatt's first proposal asked for broadening the scope of the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee and renaming it as the ‘Gender and Sexuality Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee’.

Bhatt's second proposal urged for the inclusion of gender-neutral washrooms on every floor of the SC.

Their third proposal called for queer representation to represent the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in the gender sensitisation committee.

Bhatt's final proposal reiterated the need for a separate column for advocates on the online appearance platform to mention their pronouns correctly.

Also Read: What Are Gender Pronouns And Why Is It Important To Use The Right Ones?