NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear petitions on July 10 requesting a review of its previous decision not to legalize same-sex marriage in India.

A five-judge bench, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna, and PS Narsimha, will oversee the review hearings.

In a decision made on October 17, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the legalization of same-sex or queer marriages, stating that the matter should be decided by the parliament. Despite this setback for queer rights activists, the court agreed that the Union of India should establish a committee to investigate the rights and entitlements of individuals in queer unions, even if their relationships are not legally recognized as marriages.

The court also affirmed that queer couples have the right to live together without facing threats, violence, or interference. However, it did not issue any directives to officially recognize these relationships as marriages.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice SK Kaul supported the idea of recognizing civil unions for queer couples, but the other three judges on the bench did not concur.

What are LGBTQ Rights?

LGBTQ rights refer to the civil liberties and protections extended to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. These rights aim to ensure that LGBTQ individuals have the same opportunities and freedoms as others, without discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes the right to marry, adopt children, work, access healthcare, and live free from violence and harassment. Advocacy for LGBTQ rights seeks to promote equality, acceptance, and legal recognition, striving to eliminate prejudice and ensure that LGBTQ people can live openly and authentically in all aspects of their lives.

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