In this opinion piece, published by Gaysi, Rajeev Anand Kushwah explores the understanding of Allyship, exploring what constitutes effective allyship, and what support straight allies can extend to queer movements and communities.
Database
A database for Indian and South Asian Trans rights legal resources
Transgender Rights
- Publications
- Litigation
- Events
- News & Media
- Blog
Since 2015 we have engaged in path breaking litigation and law and policy research that shapes the field of transgender rights in India.
The Transgender Rights movement is active in the form of grass roots advocacy, legal research and focused litigation. CLPR has been leading litigation efforts in the Supreme Court and High Courts, providing legal support at the ground-level and creating awareness in the academic and public spheres.
Transform
International Conference on Transgender Rights and the Law.
Transgender Identity & The Law Course
An elective university course on transgender identity and the law.
Publications
Pride Matters | Beyond Sec 377, the call for trans equality reaches a crescendo
In this article published by the Hindustan Times, Jayna Kothari highlights the need to support the transgender rights movement amidst the various human rights violations happening worldwide. In her piece, she says “Everyone needs to join the battle for trans rights, because the systemic changes required to put these basic rights in place would benefit everyone.”
Welfare as a Human Right: An Intersectional Approach to Trans Rights in India
In this article, published by the Oxford Human Rights Hub, Mansi Singh, and Mihir Rajamane explore the need to accommodate welfare in judicial analysis of LGBTQ+ rights, by acknowledging close intersections between queer identities and identities of caste, disability and class.
Litigation
Ms. X v. State of Karnataka
CLPR, through this case, is challenging the legal provisions preventing voluntary name and gender corrections for transgender individuals in birth certificates, arguing constitutional and human rights violations.
Dr. Beoncy Laishram v. The State of Manipur & Ors.
CLPR on behalf of Dr. Beoncy Laishram have filed a writ petition in the Manipur High Court to seek change of her name and gender in her educational documents.
Sangama by its Director & Anr. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
CLPR assisted Jeeva, an organization working extensively on the rights of transgender persons, in filing an application seeking horizontal reservations to be provided to transgender persons in public employment which led to Karnataka becoming the first Indian state to provide 1% horizontal reservation for transgender persons.
Events
09th
Dec 2022
30th
Aug 2022
Why (Queer) History Matters: The Politics of History
University of Bergen is organising "Why (Queer) History Matters: The Politics of History" an international and interdisciplinary conference on 29–30 August 2022.
Read moreNews And Media
The New Indian Express
Survey on trans persons after polls, TN tells Madras HC
Tamil Nadu government plans to conduct a survey on the population of trans persons after the election process concludes. Appearing for the petitioner, Senior counsel and Executive Director of CLPR, Jayna Kothari had advocated for horizontal reservation for trans persons, highlighting the need for inclusive policies in education and employment.
The Hindu
High time T.N. govt. conducts survey to collect contemporaneous data on transgender population, says Madras High Court
The Madras High Court urges the Tamil Nadu government to provide adequate horizontal reservation for transgender individuals in education & public employment after finding force in the submissions of senior advocate Jayna Kothari, appearing for the petitioner.
The New Indian Express
Plea seeking reservation for transgenders in SI selection: Madras HC directs govt to reply
THe Madras High Court directs the Tamil Nadu Govt., to file a reply to petitions seeking reservations for transgender persons in the recruitment of sub-inspector of police in the state. Jayna Kothari, Executive Director at CLPR & Senior Advocate, appearing for the petitioners says that various courts, including the Madras High Court, have ordered the provision of special reservations for transgender persons.
Blog
Event Report | National Consultation on its Draft Resource Book ‘Transforming Courts: Courts Decisions on Transgender Rights in India’
The consultation brought together leading transgender rights activists, academics, and lawyers to gather their feedback and inputs on the first draft of the book “Transforming Courts: Courts Decisions on Transgender Rights in India”.
Event Report | KYRE Session on Addressing Instances of Violence within the Transgender Community
On 10 August, the CLPR Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs), in collaboration with Swantantra, Payana, and Karnataka Vikalchetanara Sanghantane (KVS), hosted a pivotal Know Your Rights and Entitlements (KYRE) session on addressing violence within the transgender community.
Transforming Courts: Court Decisions on Transgender Persons’ Rights in India
This book is part of our “Equality Now!” series of four resource books, one on each…
Notes on Allyship
In this opinion piece, published by Gaysi, Rajeev Anand Kushwah explores the understanding of Allyship, exploring what constitutes effective allyship, and what support straight allies can extend to queer movements and communities.
Pride Matters | Beyond Sec 377, the call for trans equality reaches a crescendo
In this article published by the Hindustan Times, Jayna Kothari highlights the need to support the transgender rights movement amidst the various human rights violations happening worldwide. In her piece, she says “Everyone needs to join the battle for trans rights, because the systemic changes required to put these basic rights in place would benefit everyone.”
Welfare as a Human Right: An Intersectional Approach to Trans Rights in India
In this article, published by the Oxford Human Rights Hub, Mansi Singh, and Mihir Rajamane explore the need to accommodate welfare in judicial analysis of LGBTQ+ rights, by acknowledging close intersections between queer identities and identities of caste, disability and class.
Ms. X v. State of Karnataka
CLPR, through this case, is challenging the legal provisions preventing voluntary name and gender corrections for transgender individuals in birth certificates, arguing constitutional and human rights violations.
Dr. Beoncy Laishram v. The State of Manipur & Ors.
CLPR on behalf of Dr. Beoncy Laishram have filed a writ petition in the Manipur High Court to seek change of her name and gender in her educational documents.
Vihaan Peethambar v. Manipal University & Ors.
A writ petition was filed by CLPR on behalf of Vihaan Peethambar which sought direction for universities in Karnataka to update degree certificates of Transgender Persons to reflect the change in their name & gender identity based on applications made by them without having to approach the Courts.
Dr. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
The Petitioner has filed the public interest litigation (PIL)- W.P No. 19706 of 2021 to address the lack of inclusive and safe accommodation for transgender students in higher educational institutions.
11th
Apr 2025
Training for CD Fellows: Disability Rights Litigation & Human Rights Lawyering Strategies
Read more
Venue Centre for Law and Policy Research, D6, Donna Cynthia, 35, Primrose Road, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Time April 11: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM & April 12: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
15th
Feb 2025
Know Your Rights & Entitlements Session (KYRE)
Read more
Venue Centre for Law and Policy Research, D6, Donna Cynthia, 35, Primrose Road, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Time 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
16th
Dec 2024
Book Launch of the ‘Equality Now!’ Series
Read more
Venue The Lalit Fire Brigade Lane, Barakhamba, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Time 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
14th
Sep 2024
National Consultation on Draft Resource Book ‘Transforming Courts: Courts Decisions on Transgender Rights in India’
Read more
Venue Bangalore International Centre Indiranagar
Time 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
India Today
Why Karnataka HC upheld transgender person’s plea to change birth certificate
The court ruled that amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, were critical to realise in letter and spirit the 2019 law on transgender people’s rights.
Janchowk
न्याय केवल कागज़ों पर कानून के समक्ष समानता है, लेकिन यह जमीनी हकीकत क्यों नहीं बनी?
News Click
Why is Equality Before Law on Paper Not Yet a Ground Reality in India?
A book launch event and panel discussion were held in Delhi recently on the crucial role of courts in shaping rights-based jurisprudence.
The Times of India
Experts crticise silence of BNS on sex crimes against transpersons
Senior Advocate & Executive Director of CLPR, Jayna Kothari gives her two cents on how India’s new mordernised legal code – the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), falls short for the Transgender community and renders their experiences of victimhood unseen and unadressed.
Reimagining Protection: Making the PWDVA Work for Trans Women Facing Intimate Partner Violence
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) safeguards women against acts of domestic violence. Whether trans women, who are assigned male at birth but identify their gender identity as female would be able to seek protection under the PWDVA, is of significance.
Event Report | Book Launch of the ‘Equality Now!’ Series
CLPR launches “Equality Now!” – a series of four resource books on disability rights, transgender rights, women’s rights, and caste discrimination featuring discussions with legal experts and community leaders on making rights-based jurisprudence more accessible.
Event Report | National Consultation on its Draft Resource Book ‘Transforming Courts: Courts Decisions on Transgender Rights in India’
The consultation brought together leading transgender rights activists, academics, and lawyers to gather their feedback and inputs on the first draft of the book “Transforming Courts: Courts Decisions on Transgender Rights in India”.
Event Report | KYRE Session on Addressing Instances of Violence within the Transgender Community
On 10 August, the CLPR Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs), in collaboration with Swantantra, Payana, and Karnataka Vikalchetanara Sanghantane (KVS), hosted a pivotal Know Your Rights and Entitlements (KYRE) session on addressing violence within the transgender community.