Aizawl: Major civil society bodies in Mizoram have decided to conduct an ‘in-depth study’ on lesbians and transvestites and take steps to ‘discourage an increase in their number’.
A joint meeting of the state’s major NGOs, includingthe central committee of Young Mizo Association (YMA), women’s association Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) and two student bodies, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and Mizo Students Union (MSU), took the decision on Tuesday.
Though no concrete steps have been framed to deter members of the queer community, the organizations will hold what they termed a ‘wider consultation’ soon, The Times of India reported.
The issue of ‘proliferating lesbians and transvestites’ has taken centre stage in Mizo society after a number of countries recently legalized same-sex marriage, explained Thanpuii, vice-president of MHIP. Social workers accused Mizo youngsters of ‘flaunting’ alternate sexuality after watching one too many dubbed Korean film. The costumes and behaviour of Korean actors were a ‘bad’ influence on Mizo youngsters, they added.
Earlier, the Presbyterian Church’s Synod Social Front had conducted a study on lesbians and transvestites. In 2013, the Presbyterian Church had issued a statement condemning same-sex marriage. The church had said people with alternate sexualities would be ex-communicated if they continued to defy heterosexuality.