In April 2014, the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment awarded transgenders the identity of being the “third gender” distinct from male or female.<br /><br />It directed the central and state governments “to take steps to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes of citizens”. <br /><br />The verdict also directs the governments to “extend all kinds of reservation in cases of admission in educational institutions and for public appointments”.<br /><br />A year on, the best that has happened, is the passage last month of a private member bill in the Rajya Sabha on transgender rights. <br /><br />As of now, the transgenders’ merger with mainstream society is faced with many hurdles, not the least being that of social acceptance or awareness.<br /><br />According to research by Aheer, nearly 70 to 80 per cent of transgenders are involved in begging and sex work.<br /><br />Even after the verdict, there are no opportunities in government jobs. And with poor educational standards, those from the community are unable to avail any opportunities.<br /><br />Ultimately every transgender is seeking respect and acceptance. With growing aspirations young transgenders want to have the choice of a better life, like every man or woman in India.<br /><br />Reporting by: Poulomi Banerjee<br />Video by: Sidrah Fatma Ahmed<br /><br />------------------------------------------<br /><br />Subscribe to our channel: http://read.ht/fLZ<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/htTweets<br /><br />Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hindustantimes<br /><br />Watch more videos at: http://www.hindustantimes.com/video<br /><br />hindustantimes.com © 2015
