Thol. Thirumavalavan Apologizes After Controversy Over Same-Sex Love Remarks in Tamil Nadu

Thol. Thirumavalavan Apologizes After Controversy Over Same-Sex Love Remarks in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, July 7, 2025 – Thol. Thirumavalavan, a prominent Tamil Nadu politician and leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), issued a public apology on Sunday after facing widespread backlash for describing same-sex love as “perversion” during a student event. The remarks, made in February at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, sparked outrage among LGBTQIA+ activists and organizations, who condemned the statement as harmful and outdated.

The controversy began when a video surfaced showing Thirumavalavan responding to a law student’s question about whether same-sex love aligns with Tamil philosophical concepts of love. In the clip, he stated, “In English, they call that ‘perversion’. If love happens between a man and another man, that is perversion. It is something that goes against nature.” The comment, which drew laughter from the audience, was widely criticized for reinforcing stigma and discrimination against the queer community.

The Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition (TNRC), a network of LGBTQIA+ groups, issued an open letter denouncing Thirumavalavan’s remarks. They highlighted that modern science, including the World Health Organization’s 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of disorders, recognizes same-sex love as a natural variation of human sexuality. “Equating same-gender desire to ‘perversion’ fuels discrimination and contributes to the violence and alienation faced by queer people,” the TNRC stated, urging Thirumavalavan to reflect on the harm caused and promote inclusivity.

LGBTQIA+ activists and social justice advocates also questioned how a leader committed to fighting social injustice could hold such views, noting Tamil Nadu’s progressive policies, including legal same-sex activity since 2018 and a ban on conversion therapy. They called for dialogue to address biases, emphasizing that Thirumavalavan’s political alliances, like the INDIA bloc, have historically supported LGBTQIA+ rights.

In response to the criticism, Thirumavalavan expressed regret in a statement on social media platform X, saying, “I am very sorry! I felt remorse after learning that my response hurt the sexual minority community. I had no hidden agenda.” He reaffirmed VCK’s support for LGBTQIA+ rights, noting the party’s role in establishing Tamil Nadu’s transgender welfare board in 2006 and creating a dedicated wing for transgender individuals within the party.

The apology has been met with mixed reactions. Some activists welcomed the gesture but stressed the need for Thirumavalavan to engage in meaningful dialogue and education to align his views with scientific and inclusive principles. Others emphasized that such remarks can have a lasting impact, particularly on queer youth in educational spaces.

Tamil Nadu is known for its progressive stance on LGBTQIA+ issues, being the first Indian state to introduce transgender welfare policies, ban forced surgeries on intersex infants, and include queer issues in school curricula. Despite these advancements, activists note that discrimination, family rejection, and bullying remain challenges for the estimated 16,380 LGBTQ individuals in the state.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the need for public figures to champion inclusivity and challenge outdated stereotypes, especially in a state celebrated for its forward-thinking policies.