The Supreme Court said that transgenders should be treated a third category and would be considered as socially and economically backward classes and as such entitled to job reservation.
Meanwhile transgenders are elated at the Supreme Court judgment Tuesday recognising them as a "third gender", but are afraid that the social acceptance will take longer because of the stigma and discrimination associated with them.
Recongising transgenders as third category of gender, the apex court bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice A.K. Sikri in their judgment directed the centre and the state governments to include them for reservation in jobs and education.
This judgment has given hope to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The verdict "is important on a global level and India is one of the few countries to give this landmark judgment. This clearly shows that the Supreme Court is progressive in its approach. Now there would be no discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation", Leslie Steven, a gay rights activist, told.
Filmmaker and gay activist Onir too welcomed the judgment. "It is a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court and should have happened many years back. Nevertheless, it is a significant judgment that has given equal rights to the transgenders like any other citizen of India," he said.
"This judgment also means hope to the LGBT community and we are hopeful to win that battle too," said Onir, who has directed movies like "I Am" and "My Brother Nikhil".
(With inputs from IANS)
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