Press Release
Published on April 15, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today applauds an Indian Supreme Court ruling that expands recognition for transgender individuals in the country. The ruling also protects transgender persons from discrimination under the constitution.
“Today’s ruling is a welcome step forward for the rights of the transgender community in India,” said Human Rights First’s Shawn Gaylord. “The United States should do all it can to encourage India to continue this progress and reverse its 2013 decision that recriminalized homosexuality.”
India saw a major setback in the advancement of LGBT rights last year, when the Supreme Court overturned a 2009 lower court ruling which stated that a law dating back to the 19th century criminalizing gay sex should not apply to consensual acts. The court stated that implementation of the 2009 ruling, a victory for human rights, would require a change in India’s legal code that only parliament could make. The 150-year old law is still constitutional. India has effectively recriminalized homosexuality.
