The Indian Psychiatric Society has just posted the following statement by Dr.T.V.Asokan, President, and Dr. N.N.Raju, General Secretary, on their website http://www.ips-online.org,

“Based on existing scientific evidence and good practice guidelines from the field of psychiatry, Indian Psychiatric Society would like to state that there is no evidence to substantiate the belief that homosexuality is a mental illness or a disease. IPS will issue a more detailed statement in due course of time”.

Thanks to IPS for this official clarification, which was much needed in light of contradictory statements made in January/February 2014 by some of its office bearers (see here and here).

Orinam and other community groups look forward to working with IPS to sensitise mental health professionals on LGBT issues, advocate for inclusion of these issues in the undergraduate and relevant postgraduate medical curricula and in-service training, and to end unethical/unscientific practices of “conversion” therapy that continue to exist in all parts of India.