Gay activists Onir, Celina and Arif react to Supreme Court's recognition of transgenders as the third sex

While the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday to recognize transgenders as the third sex was greeted with jubilation by the gay community, vocal gay activists were underwhelmed by the ‘historic’ verdict. Gay activist actress Celina Jaitley said, “I am exhilarated at this historic decision. It’s a step forward for human rights. The transgender community has suffered a lot socially and economically because of discrimination, hate crimes and lack of jobs and education. This formal recognition has set an example for the whole world that this is not a social issue but a human rights issue and now India leads the way as a beacon of equality.” Celina however, has misgivings about the decision. “My question is, the reinstatement of Article 377 prohibits the third gender from "right to life", consummation of a relationship, a relationship which is the basic foundation of human beings progress on all levels. That is unfair.” Gay filmmaker Onir says, “It’s a long-delayed but most welcome verdict that will give the transgender community dignity and empower them to demand constitutional rights, jobs, health and educational facilities.” Onir sees this as a huge victory for the transgender community. “Finally some steps forward in the journey towards the community not being disrespected. Finally the community gets treated as equal citizens.” Actor Arif Zakaria who played a transgender character in Kalpana Lajmi’s Darmiyaan, doesn’t share Onir’s joy. “It’s a small token triumph, more a lip service than actual victory. What is important in the fight for marginalized community’s survival with dignity, is the average person’s mindset. That needs to change. We look at transgenders as freaks, partly because of their own public conduct. It will be a while before our mindset regarding the third sex changes.” Arif wonders how long it would take for the transgenders to actually be assimilated into the mainstream of society. “How many of us would give employment or embrace such people, absorb them into our lives and work-places? Not too many of us, I’m afraid. However the Supreme Court verdict is a good beginning. I’d think the transgender community too needs to re-define itself in mainstream society, educate themselves and get out of their self-imposed isolation.” Let us know your views in the comment section below.