Punjab creates ‘transgender’ job category for eunuchs

Fri, Feb 12 04:26 AM

The Punjab government has decided to create a separate category in application forms under which eunuchs can apply for government vacancies.

Although there was no bar on eunuchs to apply for government jobs, this is the first time the state has given them an option to choose their identity apart from the men and women categories.

Eunuchs aspiring for government jobs can now choose the new category — “transgender” — in application forms. But eventually those selected will be considered in the category of men, officials said.

The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting attended by Chief Secretary S C Aggarwal, Home Secretary A R Talwar and Punjab’s Additional Advocate General Rupinder S Khosla.

“The decision has been taken to pave way for eunuchs so that they can also be considered for government jobs. After all, they are also human beings,” Khosla told The Indian Express. “The decision to consider them in the category of men was taken as considering them in the category of women will not be a prudent keeping in view public sensitivities.”

He added that though the sex determination of a eunuch — whether male or female — was ruled out because of the costs involved. “It will be an expensive affair as each detection costs around Rs 2,500. Thus, in order to avoid undue burden on the state exchequer, the Punjab government has decided to keep them in the category of men,” Khosla added.

Appreciating the stand taken by the Punjab government, a division bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh directed Haryana to clear its stand keeping in view the decision taken by the Punjab government. The Central government has also been asked to clarify whether eunuchs shall be considered in male or female category.

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by Kajal Mangal Mukhi, a eunuch who is an advocate by profession. Mukhi had sought directions for the states to allow eunuchs to join government services.

(link to full article on yahoo news)

Local Courts Making Transgender Name-Changes Easier

by Samuel Newhouse (sam@brooklyneagle.net), published online 01-28-2010

NEW YORK — Courts around New York City have recently earned a new distinction, that of being one of the easiest and most popular places for transgender individuals to change their names.Two recent rulings in New York have eased the name-change process for transgender people. In one case, a Westchester judge recently ruled that the general requirement that name change and home addresses be advertised in newspapers should not apply to transgender people, as they face some safety issues while in transition. Some transgender people reportedly received strange or intimidating letters after publicly announcing that their names were being changed from that of a man to a woman, for example… (more)

Pride Reception!

Come to SALGA’s annual Pride Reception for the community as well as out-of-towners! This year, it will be at the very trendy, very hip Le Royale.

Don’t miss DJ Rekha who will be spinning beats all night long!

Where: Le Royale 21 7th Ave. South
When: Saturday June 27th at 9pm
Cover: $5 before 11pm, $10 after; $5 for students all night