Remove social stigma, discrimination and abuse against transgender persons
Bring accountability and responsibility of stakeholders dealing with transgender persons
Bring transgender population into mainstream society and provide them equal rights
The total population of transgender according to the 2011 census was 4.8 lakh; whereas only 30,000 were registered with Election Commission. Estimates suggest that there are 50-60 lakh transgenders in India but most keep it a secret to avoid discrimination.
The Central Government passed the much-awaited "The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019" which aims to provide recognition to the unidentified gender and also to protect them from discrimination on social level to make them independent in the society and providing them with equal opportunities as guaranteed by Article 14 of the India Constitution.
The applicability of this Act will be on individuals and establishments employing transgender persons wherein they need to ensure everyone is aware of the responsibilities and rights of transgenders.
"Transgender person" means a person whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-man or trans-woman (whether or not such person has undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery or hormone therapy or laser therapy or such other therapy), person with intersex variations, genderqueer and person having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta.
The Act not only prohibits discrimination, it also provides recognition and puts an end to the need of providing the certificate of identity to transgender
The Act prohibits denial, discontinuation or unfair treatment of transgender person by any person or establishment on any of the following grounds:
Following actions act will attract penal provisions:
Penalties for aforesaid offences includes an imprisonment for a term of not less than 6 months and a maximum of 2 years along with a fine.