[pib] Measures taken by Govt. for LGBTQI+ Community

LGBT Rights – Transgender Bill, Sec. 377, etc.

[pib] Measures taken by Govt. for LGBTQI+ Community

Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Various schemes mentioned

Why in the News?

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has invited inputs to ensure that policies and initiatives regarding the LGBTQI+ community are inclusive and effective.

Who are the LGBTQ+?

It is an umbrella term used to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.
LGBTQI+ people represent a subset of individuals among the broader category of sexual and gender diverse individuals.
Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) is diverse and spans cultures across the world.

Various policy initiatives for LGBTQI+ Community:

Policy/Scheme	Details
Supreme Court Judgment on Section 377 (2018)	• *Decriminalized consensual same-sex relations* by *ruling that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code,* which criminalized such acts, was unconstitutional. • Affirmed the right to privacy and equality, marking a historic victory for LGBTQI+ rights in India.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act (2019)	• Grants legal *recognition to transgender individuals, prohibits discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare,* and mandates the establishment of a national and state-level transgender welfare board. • Ensures *protection of transgender rights, and access to welfare benefits*, and facilitates legal recognition and equality.
National Portal for Transgender Persons (2020)	• An online platform launched by the *Ministry of Social Justice and Empowermen*t for applying for a transgender certificate and identity card. • Streamlines the legal recognition process, enabling transgender individuals to obtain official documentation more easily.
SMILE Scheme (2021)	• “Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprises” Central Sector scheme. • Provides financial assistance and support for the livelihood and enterprise development of marginalized individuals and beggars, including members of the LGBTQI+ community.

PYQ:

[2023] Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws.

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