Parliamentary Panel Criticises Government’s Draft Transgender Bill

The Union government has come under criticism over a draft transgender bill, which according to a parliamentary panel, fails to address matters such as marriage and divorce among members of the community.

The panel said that the centre’s bill leaves the transgender community vulnerable to criminal proceedings under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

Tabling its report in Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment said transgenders "remain at risk of criminalisation under Section 377 of the IPC". The IPC section criminalises any "unnatural" sexual contact by a person including acts of homosexuality.

The panel suggested that the proposed legislation must at the very least recognise transgenders' rights to partnership and marriage. Additionally, the report also suggested that transgenders should enjoy the option to choose their gender independent of surgery or hormones.

It also asked the central and state governments and the civil society to adopt measures for creating awareness about transgenders. "While there is no shame in being a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex or even straight – there is shame and dishonour in being a homophobe, a transphobe and a bigot," it said.