Medical termination of pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021: From the lenses of LGBTQIA+ community in India

J Family Med Prim Care. 2024 Dec;13(12):5459-5464. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_818_24. Epub 2024 Dec 9.

Abstract

The article presents the LGBTQIA + inclusivity analysis of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021, which aims to provide safe abortion services across India. The analysis reports the use of cisgender-heteronormative language, instead of gender-neutral terms and pronouns in the legislation. Sexual assault/rape as an eligibility criterion for permitting abortion under this act does not apply to non-binary, trans- and queer individuals due to non-inclusivity in Rape Laws (Indian Penal Code 375 and 376). The analysis highlights the necessity for critical amendments to expand its scope to ensure LGBTQIA+ inclusive abortion services.

Keywords: Abortion; lgbtqia+; medical termination of pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Editorial

Grants and funding

Nil