If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I so strongly support the rights of transgender community. So I am happy to see that last year the law school in India has started to recognize the transgender community.

In addition to male and female category in the application, it now allows for “other” category. This might seem like a small thing, but it is not. In a society that recognizes only two genders, transgendes and hijras are often rendered invisible, ridiculous, horrific or disgusting. And that is just wrong.

Top law schools in the country have taken an important step forward in the area of implementing rights of transgender community. To acknowledge the transgender community, the premier law schools will introduce an ‘others’ category for them in various application forms. The new idea will come into effect from next academic year. Also, the new proposal will be presented before the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) committee.
Top Law Schools To Ensure That Selection will be based on Merit

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, R. Venkata Rao mentioned having interactions with members of the transgender community. They pointed out that the application form contains only two categories Male or Female and no mention for transgender or others. He further added that the plan will be kept before the CLAT committee, which may meet in October or November 2010, to consider the matter.

Further, Rao added that members of transgender community will be selected on merit basis. The law school will counsel other students to treat them as equals, instead of making fun of them.

I also encourage you to visit Firoze Shakir’s Flickr stream and additional pictures where he captures the beauty and humanity of the hijra community in India. If you have any doubt as to the beauty of the transgender community, check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/firozeshakir/sets/72157626839331565/