Finally Transgenders have been recognized by the Supreme Court and the Government of India as citizens of India and have been accorded equal rights to vote. In a culturally sensitive country like India where the Transgender or the LGBT community have been waging a battle with the Government and the people for recognition as normal people and also with the Supreme Court’s ruling in December 11 2013 which was in favour of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which penalizes Gay activity , this has brought in a relief and a first step to recognition of this minority community.

In what could be considered a landmark judgment in India , the Supreme Court recognised transgenders or eunuchs as a third category of gender and directed the Centre and States to grant them all facilities including voters ID, passport and driving licenses. It has also directed the Government to take steps to bring the community into the mainstream by providing adequate healthcare, education and employment opportunities and not show any discretion while providing these basic rights. Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice A K Sikri directed the government to take steps for granting recognition to transgenders as a separate third category of gender after male and female.

Its time to print new forms and create the third check box along with Male and Female.