Page 3 - Transgender

No queer representation in 2024 Lok Sabha, 108 MPs vocal on LGBTQIA+ issues

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, all three transgender candidates lost their security deposits for not securing one-sixth of the total valid votes

Transgender community, sanitation workers to attend Modi's oath ceremony

About 50 people from the transgender community have been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi and the new cabinet of ministers to them give blessings. Before the ceremony, BJP MP and former Social Justice and Empowerment minister Virendra Kumar felicitated the community members at his residence. "This is a part of Prime Minister Modi's call of 'sabka saath sabka vishwas and sabha prayas'. Including people from transgenders in the ceremony is to enhance the inclusivity message of the PM," Kumar told media. This is the first time that people from the transgender community are formally invited for the swearing-in ceremony, he said. These participants have made contribution in the empowerment of the transgender community, Kumar added. Sonam Kinnar from the UP BJP unit said she along with 50 members of the community have come here to give blessings to the new government. "We are saddened that PM Modi did not receive the number of seats a

Trump camp slams Prez for declaring Mar 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility

President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump's campaign and religious conservatives for proclaiming March 31 which corresponds with Easter Sunday this year as Transgender Day of Visibility. The Democratic president issued the proclamation on Friday, calling on all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity. But in 2024, the March 31 designation overlaps with Easter, one of Christianity's holiest celebrations. Trump's campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of being insensitive to religion, and fellow Republicans piled on. "We call on Joe Biden's failing campaign and White House to issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only the resurrection of Jesus Christ," said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's press secretary. She assailed what she called

Putin's crackdown casts a wide net, ensnaring LGBTQ+ community, lawyers

It's not just opposition politicians who are targeted in the crackdown by Russian President Vladimir Putin's government in recent years. Also falling victim are independent voices as well as those who don't conform to what the state sees as the country's traditional values. Russia's once-thriving free press after the collapse of the Soviet Union has been largely reduced to either state-controlled media or independent journalists operating from abroad, with few critical outlets still working in the country. Prominent rights groups have been outlawed or classified as agents of foreigners. Lawyers who represented dissidents have been prosecuted. LGBTQ+ activists have been labelled "extremists. A look at those who have come under attack during Putin's 24-year rule that is likely to be extended by six more years in this month's presidential election: INDEPENDENT MEDIA Independent news sites largely have been blocked in Russia since the first weeks of the war in Ukraine. Many have moved

To break glass ceiling', Tata Steel invites applications from transgenders

Tata Steel has taken a "significant step towards promoting inclusivity" by inviting applications from transgender candidates for various positions across multiple locations, the company said. As a leading global steel company, Tata Steel recognises the importance of breaking the glass ceiling and mainstreaming transgender people in society, it said. "Transgender candidates with any of the following qualifications can apply: Matriculation in English or ITI or graduation in any discipline or diploma in engineering in any discipline from any institute recognised by AICTE or UGC or Degree in BE/B Tech in any discipline from any institute, recognised by AICTE or UGC," Tata Steel said in a notification. The last date for filing applications is February 15. All shortlisted candidates will undergo a selection process, which may include a written test and interview as per the requirement, it said. In February 2022, the steel giant had expanded its transgender employee base by onboarding 12

A tell-all across gender divide

Khurai's assertion of her identity was not only a defiance of sorts but also a courageous stand for living her life as she wanted in a volatile environment, riddled with militancy and the armed forces

'Lost my medal to a transgender': Swapna Barman after losing in Heptathlon

Swapna Barman finished fourth in the women's heptathlon event with 5708 points, losing out on bronze by only four points

RML Hospital to open speciality OPD for transgenders on PM Modi's birthday

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here will inaugurate a speciality OPD for the transgender community on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on Sunday. Besides, a blood donation camp will also be organised on that day. The hospital's Medical Superintendent Dr Ajay Shukla will inaugurate this special OPD and blood donation camp. He said this speciality OPD service will be available to transgenders every Friday from 2 pm to 4 pm and there will be a separate registration counter for the same. An endocrinology facility with hormone analysis and free hormonal treatment, a psychiatry facility with clinical-psychological assessment, and plastic surgery will also be available at the OPD, Dr Shukla said. Also, dermatology, urology and paediatrics services and all related blood investigations will be made available at the OPD, he said, adding that it will have gender-neutral/transgender washroom facilities. When asked what prompted the launch of the Speciality OPD for transgend

Special drive in Delhi to add transgenders, sex workers in voters' list

The office of Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer has initiated the process to set up special camps to enrol transgenders, sex workers and vulnerable women in the voters' list, officials said on Saturday. With Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year, the CEO office recently recommended to district electoral officers to organise these special camps for including sex workers, destitute and homeless women in the voters list, they said. Currently, the transgender voters are referred to as "Third Gender" in the electoral roll, which is not in consonance with the Transgender Persons (Protection Right) Act, 2019. So, in tune with the Act, they may be referred to as "Transgender", the communication stated. To promote inclusiveness in the electoral process, the district election officers have also been recommended to start a process for mapping transgender in the city to identify and enrol those left out in the electoral rolls, said a senior officer. It has also been recommended that transgender n

Canada's McGahey to become first transgender to play international cricket

Danielle McGahey of Canada will become the first transgender cricketer to play in an international match when she represents her adopted country during the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup qualifier in Bangladesh. The 29-year-old McGahey, an opening batter, has been selected in Canada's women's squad for the next month's qualifying tournament after she fulfilled ICC's eligibility criteria for male-to-female transgender players. The qualifying tournament will be played in Los Angeles from September 4 to 11. Canada will take on Argentina, Brazil and the United States in the ICC Americas Qualifier for a place in the Global Qualifiers. "I am absolutely honoured. To be able to represent my community is something I never dreamed I would be able to do," McGahey was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. McGahey moved to Canada from Australia in February 2020 and began her social transition from a man to a woman in November 2020. She started medical transition in May 2021. McGahey's participation in .

Nagpur police bans transgenders from visiting public places to seek alms

The police authorities in Nagpur city of Maharashtra have reissued an order prohibiting transgenders from visiting public places, houses, wedding ceremonies and other events to seek alms from people, an official said on Wednesday. This order was earlier issued in January this year. It was issued under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), he said. The order issued by the city Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said it was issued in view of the incidents of beggars harassing motorists and other passersby, obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians, and causing a nuisance. A violation of the order is punishable with a jail term of one month to six months, depending on the impact of the disobedience of the public order. The order will be in force from August 16 to October 14 this year. Violation of the order would attract registration of offence under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 143 (unlawfu

Vedanta launches policy for transgender employees to promote inclusivity

Globally diversified natural resources company Vedanta on Friday said it has launched an inclusion policy for its transgender employees in an effort to promote inclusivity and diversity at workplace. As part of the comprehensive policy, Vedanta is extending additional medical benefits in terms of a 30-day gender reaffirmation leave and financial support of up to Rs 2 lakh for gender reaffirmation surgery, the company said in a statement. "At Vedanta, we are actively engaged in cultivating a culture that celebrates diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals. It gives me immense joy to announce the launch of our inclusion policy, which reflects our commitment to supporting transgender employees. "With this policy, we aim to create an environment that not only recognises the needs of transgender employees but also champions their well-being and personal growth," Vedanta Non-Executive Director and Hindustan Zinc Chairperson Priya Agarwal Hebbar said. In addition to the

Pernod Ricard India and NSDC to provide skill training to 240 transpersons

It will be a placement-linked skill training programme where candidates will get skill training across job roles

Twitter 'quietly' removes policy against deadnaming transgender people

Twitter has quietly removed a policy against the targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals, raising concerns that the Elon Musk-owned platform is becoming less safe for marginalised groups. Twitter enacted the policy against deadnaming, or using a transgender person's name before they transitioned, as well as purposefully using the wrong gender for someone as a form of harassment, in 2018. On Monday, Twitter also said it will only put warning labels on some tweets that are potentially in violation of its rules against hateful conduct. Previously, the tweets were removed. It was in this policy update that Twitter appears to have deleted the line against deadnaming from its rules. Twitter's decision to covertly roll back its longtime policy is the latest example of just how unsafe the company is for users and advertisers alike, said Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of the advocacy group GLAAD. This decision to roll back LGBTQ safety pulls Twitter even mor

North Dakota Guv signs laws banning trans athletes from female sports teams

North Dakota's Republican Governor Doug Burgum on Tuesday evening signed two transgender athlete bans into law, effectively prohibiting transgender girls and women from joining female sports teams in K-12 and college. Lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the bills with veto-proof majorities this year. If the governor had vetoed the bills or refused to sign them, the bills likely would've still become law. At least 19 other states have imposed restrictions on transgender athletes. Republican lawmakers across the US have drafted hundreds of laws this year to push back on LGBTQ+ freedoms, especially targeting transgender people's everyday lives including sports, health care, bathrooms, workplaces and schools. The Biden administration this month proposed a rule, which still faces a lengthy approval process, to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes. In 2021, Burgum vetoed a nearly identical bill that would have banned transgender girls from playing on girls' teams in public

US to forbid schools, colleges to ban trans athletes but allow exceptions

Schools and colleges across the US would be forbidden from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes under a proposal released Thursday from the Biden administration, but teams could create some limits in certain cases for example, to ensure fairness. The proposed rule sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities. If finalised, the proposal would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however, and it's almost certain to face challenges from opponents. The proposal comes on the same day that the Supreme Court said a 12-year-old transgender girl in West Virginia can continue competing on her middle school track and cross-country teams while legal battles over the state's transgender law continue. The law bans transgender athletes from femal

Xiaomi India joins United Way India to upskill transgender community

Leading smartphone and smart TV brand Xiaomi India on Friday announced a collaboration with the United Way India to upskill the transgender community in the country.

Kerala gets first transgender person as lawyer in Advocate Padma Laxmi

Kerala gets its first transgender advocate Padma Laxmi enrolled with the Bar Council of Kerala on Sunday, March 19

First transgender judge seeks reservation in govt jobs for her community

India's first transgender Judge Joyita Mondal has underlined the need for reservation in government jobs for her community members, saying their entry in segments like the police force and the Railways will change society's outlook towards them and help in their advancement in life. Mondal said her community also needs shelter homes in adequate numbers in the country and the government should launch a scheme in this regard. "It is very important to give reservation in government jobs to the transgender community. If I don't have a job, who is going to feed me?" Mondal told reporters on Friday after attending a culture and literature festival, "Lit Chowk", here. She said if by virtue of reservation, transgender persons join the police force and the Railways, it will not only help community members march ahead in life, but change society's outlook towards them. She said authorities should be more sensitive towards her community members and issues faced by them. Mondal was appointed

Thai transgender activist buys Miss Universe organisation for $ 20 million

A Thai business tycoon and transgender activist has purchased the Miss Universe Organisation for USD 20 million, her company announced on Wednesday. Chakrapong Anne Chakrajutathib, who controls JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., is a celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about being a transgender woman. She helped establish a nonprofit group, Life Inspired For Transsexual Foundation, to promote trans rights. JKN said it acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC, a sports, talent and events marketing company which has held the Miss Universe Organisation since 2015. Former US President Donald Trump was part owner of the pageant rights from 1996 until IMG's purchase. JKN said it has established a subsidiary in the United States, JKN Metaverse Inc., to own the Miss Universe Organisation. The Miss Universe pageant is broadcast in 165 countries, according to IMG. In a statement, Chakrapong described the purchase as "a strong