3.7.2. Initiatives by Government/Judiciary to Promote Interests of LGBT Community in India

♤ The Supreme Court in NALSA case recognised transgender as a legal third gender and called on the government to ensure their equal treatment.

♤ It also provided for avenues of reservation within the OBC quota to this ‘marginalised’

section

♤ Odisha became the first state to give transgender people social welfare benefits - such as a pension, housing and food grains - usually allocated for only the most impoverished.

♤ The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 has been introduced in the Parliament to protect the rights of LGBT communities.

♤ Saathiya scheme launched by Government addresses same-sex attraction with gentleness and wisdom and states that it is alright to feel attracted to someone of the same sex as yours.