Even through it has been a year since section 377 of Indian Penal Code has been taken down, the legal battle for the civil right of LGBT community has just started.
Section 377 is a British era law that criminalize consensual, adult, same sense relationships. Though this has been struck down other demands are still unfulfilled.
Demands by LGBT Community:
- Right to own & inherit property
- Nominate their same sense partners on hospital insurance forms.
- Receive legal recognition of same-sense relationship & marriage.
Process that is taking place in direction of Civil Rights of LGBT Community:
- Human Rights Law Network state to take steps in setting up Transgender Welfare Boards, providing identity cards, toilets, free medical care.
- PIL by trans activist Grace Banufor reservation for trans person in education & public certificates.
- Karnataka high court direction to state education department to ensure that trans persons are able to change her/his name & gender in her/his school & college certificates.
- Madras high court upholding the marriage between a man & transwoman who were denied to be recognized their union by registration authorities stating that transwoman couldn’t be considered as a bride under the Hindu Marriage Act,1955.
Way ahead:
Other petition related to reservations for trans persons in government jobs & educational institutions etc. are also in the work.
Young people are already approaching district & high courts police stations & registers & demands their rights. Thus, is how their distant dream of equality can be achieved in the long run.