Tamil Nadu’s trans policy: Aspirational yet incomplete

The governmentof Tamil Nadu recently released its State Policy for Transgender Persons. The policy is expansive and aspirational, aiming to institutionalise dignity, nondiscrimination, and socio-economic inclusion for transgender and intersex persons. Unlike the narrower contours of the central Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, this policy charts a more intersectional and rights-affirming vision.

- Jwalika Balaji

It upholds the right to self-identification and mandates all state agencies to respect a person's self-declared gender identity without requiring surgical or medical intervention. It affirms that transgender and intersex persons are entitled to equality before the law and protection from discrimination in all spheres. The policy spans a wide range of domains: Education, employment, housing, health, legal recognition, protection from violence, and political participation. In education, it mandates anti-discrimination measures, grievance redressal officers, and curricular inclusion. Employment provisions require workplaces to ensure nondiscriminatory hiring, sensitisation, equal career progression, and redress mechanisms. In health care, it promises to expand state insurance to include gender-affirming procedures, train health care workers, and provide mental health services. It also outlines commitments to legal aid, inclusive housing, shelter homes, and electoral participation. The Transgender We