Only transgenders are 'third gender', clarifies Supreme Court

New Delhi, June 30: The Supreme Court on Thursday said the term 'third gender' only includes transgenders and not gays, lesbians or bisexuals while upholding OBC reservation for them.

The apex court dismissed a petition and pulled up the Centre which had sought a modification in its verdict delivered in 2014.

The Supreme Court said, "There is no confusion. The judgment had clearly stated that lesbians, gays and bisexuals do not fall under the category of the third gender. Only transgenders fall under the category as per the Supreme Court order."

What the 2014 verdict had said:

In April 2014, the central government was asked by the Supreme Court to have a 'third gender' category in all its forms and provide the benefits of OBC quota to them. The court had also observed that transgenders were a socially and economically backward minority community and needed reservation.

The government had claimed that therw was confusion in the verdict over whether the 'third gender' also included gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

Oneindia News