The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of India released a new draft of rules on 13 July 2020 which has removed a big problematic aspect. It has done away with the requirement of a medical examination for trans persons applying for a certificate of identity. Along with that the feedback period has been extended to 13th August 2020.

However, it has failed to address many other issues like:

1)a shorter punishment for sexual harrasment against trans people as compared to cis women

2)not being able to change gender without going through Sex reassignment surgery. Trans people can identify only as 'transgender' without surgery and to change their gender identity to male or female, they still have to go through surgery.

3) no mention of reservations for trans community even though they have been marginalized for years and are struggling economically due to their identity.

4) they have given a short duration for feedback as lockdown continues and corona virus cases shoot up. 

Along with these, there are many issues that they have not addressed and therefore the fight continues. We cannot let the government hastily pass an Act without hearing the voices of the community it affects. Keep on sharing the petition and amplifying this!

Trans Rights are Human Rights!