Question- When was the Transgender Persons Rights Bill passed?

Answer -

Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014

This bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 12th December, 2014, which was passed unanimously on 24th April, 2015 with cross-party support. It was a private members’ bill, introduced by Tamil Nadu MP Tiruchi Siva. The day is observed as Transgender Day since the passage of the Bill in Rajya Sabha on 24 April.

The rights guaranteed under the Bill are mostly fundamental rights, such as the right to equality and non-discrimination, life and personal liberty, free speech, the right to be protected in a community, integrity as well as torture or cruelty and abuse, violence and protection from exploitation, which also has a separate section for transgender children.

Education, employment and social security and health also come under the purview of the Bill. The chapter on education makes it mandatory for the government to provide inclusive education for transgender students and provide them with adult education.

Along with the employment chapter, there are two separate sections dealing with the formulation of schemes for vocational training and self-employment of transgender persons by the government. There is a separate clause for non-discrimination against transgender persons in any establishment, public or private.

In the chapter on Social Security and Health, the government is asked to promote social security and health care facilities, which are to be provided in the form of separate HIV clinics and free SRS. They should be given the right to leisure, culture and entertainment. Basic rights like access to safe drinking water and sanitation should be provided by the government.

The Bill envisages the establishment of several authorities and forums – national and state commissions for transgender persons. The work of the commission will be mostly in the nature of inquiry or recommendations on discrepancies in the application of law or violation of rights of transgender persons. The commission can issue summons to witnesses, obtain evidence, etc. Hate speech against transgender people is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year.

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