In a victory for the transgender community, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to amend the very definition of the word ‘transgender.’ The ambiguous word “neither wholly male or female” has been removed.
Transgenders were earlier defined as a combination of male or female. Now, a source from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment source informed News18 that, “The recommendations were looked into and changes have been incorporated.”
There have also been other recommendations suggested by the Standing Committee, and keeping them in mind, here are five crucial revisions on the Transgender Bill, tabled in Parliament for the Winter Session.
1. A new clause, “defining family” has been included. This allows transgenders to regard their peer group as their immediate family. Also, no transgender person, including children, can be separated from parents or immediate family, on the grounds of being transgender, except upon the order of the competent court.
2. The Bill now provides for medical expense coverage for transgenders, which enables them to undergo sex reassignment surgery, take hormonal therapy and address other health issues.
3. The National Council, proposed in the Bill, has been authorised to redress the grievances of transgenders.
You may also like: After a 2-Year Battle, Ganga Kumari to Become Rajasthan’s First Transgender Cop
4. Every establishment, irrespective of how many people are employed there, will have to designate a person as a complaint officer. Earlier, only institutions with 100 or more people were required to do so.
5. A transgender can now apply for a new certificate, if there is a gender-change after the old one.
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.
Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-
By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.
Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?