Family is numero uno. A group of persons that you can call home. The idea got a little lift this week, when the Supreme Court remarked that non-traditional, queer relationships also constitute a family.

While hearing a case involving a woman’s right to avail maternity benefits for a child that is not biologically hers, the apex court also made some observations about the definition of family. A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna observed that “family may take the form of domestic, unmarried partnerships or queer relationships. These manifestations of love and of families may not be typical but they are as real as their traditional counterparts.” The court observed that such family units should be entitled to equal protection under the law, as well as the benefits available under social welfare legislation.