India top court recognises transgenders as ‘third gender’

India’s highest court has recognised the existence of a third gender that is neither male or female, in a landmark ruling hailed by transgender people.

The landmark ruling Tuesday directs federal and state governments to include qualifying transgender people in welfare programs for the poor.

All official documents will now be required to have a category marked transgender, in addition to male and female.

Activists praised the ruling, saying it will help grant equal rights to a group long-marginalized in the traditional country.

Transgender people have a centuries-old history in India, but are often subject to hate crimes and discrimination.

As a result, many find themselves on the fringes of society, becoming poor and resorting to begging or prostitution.

The ruling comes months after India’s Supreme Court reinstated a 19th century law criminalizing homosexual sex, in a ruling that outraged gay rights advocates.

Source –  THE TIMES OF EARTH and agencies