Judgement of the Supreme Court of India on transgender community, 15/04/2014
Judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of National Legal Services Authority (Petitioner) Versus Union of India and others (Respondents) dated 15/04/2014 on transgender community. Supreme Court declares that Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as “third gender” for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of the Indian Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State Legislature.
The Apex Court also upheld transgender persons' right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.