India: Column for eunuchs in passport form
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:29 pm
Eunuchs can now have their sex listed as "E" on their passports. People who have had sex reassignment may also update their marker.
From today's news.
Hugs,
Kelly
http://web.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/march/105167.htm
Column for eunuchs in passport form
By: Shibu Thomas
March 9, 2005
The Indian government has finally recognised the third sex, officially! Henceforth, when you apply for a new passport or renew your old one, in the category sex, you have a choice of three genders.
The new Passport Information Booklet relating to instructions for filling up application forms, states, In case of Male/ Female option, please write M or F in the box space provided. For eunuch, please write E in this box.
It is a big step, said Gauri Sawant, of Sakhi Char Chowghee, which works with hijras. Travelling will become easier and a passport holds the key to many other facilities.
It is an incredible step and long overdue, said Ashok Row Kavi, founder of Humsafar, a city-based gay organisation. Humsafar also works with hijras and transgender people.
Earlier, hijras had to list their sex as male and dress as a male whenever they went out of the country. They now dont have to carry the baggage of dishonesty.
Another reprieve is for those who have undergone male to female or vice versa surgeries known as Gender Reassignment Surgery.
The Ministry of External Affairs has made a provision for persons to change the sex in their passports if they submit a sworn affidavit and a medical certificate from the hospital where the person has undergone treatment.
The form to be filled up is titled Form No. 2 [Application for Miscellaneous Services on Indian passports].
Film and television actress Bobby Darling who has started hormone treatment for her surgery is excited about the rule.
I will definitely apply for changing my sex in the passport from male to female. This will ensure that nobody is there to pinpoint, embarrass or humiliate you unlike now. There will be no trace that I was born male.
Human rights activists, too, have welcomed the move. Sexuality today is no longer restricted to male and female, said Vivek Diwan, of Lawyers Collective.
Earlier, when hijras applied for a passport, their applications would be rejected on grounds that they were neither male nor female. This is a step in the right direction.
From today's news.
Hugs,
Kelly
http://web.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/march/105167.htm
Column for eunuchs in passport form
By: Shibu Thomas
March 9, 2005
The Indian government has finally recognised the third sex, officially! Henceforth, when you apply for a new passport or renew your old one, in the category sex, you have a choice of three genders.
The new Passport Information Booklet relating to instructions for filling up application forms, states, In case of Male/ Female option, please write M or F in the box space provided. For eunuch, please write E in this box.
It is a big step, said Gauri Sawant, of Sakhi Char Chowghee, which works with hijras. Travelling will become easier and a passport holds the key to many other facilities.
It is an incredible step and long overdue, said Ashok Row Kavi, founder of Humsafar, a city-based gay organisation. Humsafar also works with hijras and transgender people.
Earlier, hijras had to list their sex as male and dress as a male whenever they went out of the country. They now dont have to carry the baggage of dishonesty.
Another reprieve is for those who have undergone male to female or vice versa surgeries known as Gender Reassignment Surgery.
The Ministry of External Affairs has made a provision for persons to change the sex in their passports if they submit a sworn affidavit and a medical certificate from the hospital where the person has undergone treatment.
The form to be filled up is titled Form No. 2 [Application for Miscellaneous Services on Indian passports].
Film and television actress Bobby Darling who has started hormone treatment for her surgery is excited about the rule.
I will definitely apply for changing my sex in the passport from male to female. This will ensure that nobody is there to pinpoint, embarrass or humiliate you unlike now. There will be no trace that I was born male.
Human rights activists, too, have welcomed the move. Sexuality today is no longer restricted to male and female, said Vivek Diwan, of Lawyers Collective.
Earlier, when hijras applied for a passport, their applications would be rejected on grounds that they were neither male nor female. This is a step in the right direction.