CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) on Monday informed the Madras High Court that circulars have been sent to all registered medical practitioners that performing conversion therapy and unethical treatment of trans persons would attract severe action including suspension of the registration of medical practitioners. It also said these issues would be brought into the framework of continuing medical education (CME) to sensitise the doctors.
The submission was made before Justice N Anand Venkatesh when the petitions relating to LGBTQIA+ issues came up for hearing.
The counsel appearing for the TNMC said the circulars were sent out on September 12, 2025, notifying that the TNMC is conferred with powers to take disciplinary action on any complaint received with regard to any attempt/interventions to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person, which is commonly referred to as ‘conversion therapy’, which will be construed as ‘professional misconduct’ on the part of the medical professionals and appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with the existing rules.
According to the circulars, any form of the so-called conversion therapy or coercive medical/psychological practice aimed at altering a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics is strictly prohibited. Such practices are considered unethical and may invite disciplinary action under TNMC regulations.
All practitioners have a professional and ethical duty to provide healthcare without discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression or intersex status. Respectful, dignified and inclusive care must be ensured at all stages of medical interaction, it stated.
Stating that the TNMC’s ethics committee will treat complaints of misconduct or discriminatory behaviour towards transgender and intersex persons as priority disciplinary matters, the council directed all registered medical practitioners to adhere strictly to these guidelines in letter and spirit, and non-compliance would be viewed seriously and may attract disciplinary action including suspension of registration.