The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

This Act provides for the protection of the rights of transgender persons, their welfare, and connected matters. Parliament passed this Act on December 5, 2019, and it applies to the whole of India. It defines a transgender person as someone whose gender does not match the one assigned to them at birth. The term includes trans-men and trans-women, whether or not they have undergone a ‘sex reassignment surgery’, or hormone, laser, or other such therapy. It also includes persons with intersex variations, genderqueer persons, and those “…having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta.” This Act includes provisions on prohibition of discrimination against transgender persons; on recognising their identity; welfare measures; the obligations of establishments and other persons towards such individuals; the education, social security and health of transgender persons; establishing a National Council for Transgender Persons; and offences and penalties under the Act.