Twitter lauds SC order recongnising transgenders as third gender

Twitterati on Tuesday expressed strong agreement with the Supreme Court's order granting legal status to the transgender community and hailed the judgment as a "landmark ruling".

Twitterati on Tuesday expressed strong agreement with the Supreme Court's order granting legal status to the transgender community and hailed the judgment as a 'landmark ruling'.

Hundreds took to Twittter saying 'Thank you, Supreme Court' while others lauded the judgment as remarkable and highly progressive. 'Congratulations India!' wrote @dipeshtank in a tweet informing his followers about the order.

'That's a big news! Transgenders recognised by the Supreme Court as third gender. Extremely progressive judgement!' tweeted another user @Funkudi to her 9,100 followers.

News of the judgment quickly spread worldwide, and received wide appreciation. @beckykent1962 a user from Scotland called the decision: 'A major step forward in a country that has struggled with all forms of gender and sexual diversity.'

Take a look at some more tweets:

Wondering how many #Transgenders actually know about SC's ruling of today. A much needed intervention nevertheless!

— ComplanBoy (@Leap_darkness) April 15, 2014

@SupremeCourt recognises rights for #transgenders in india. one step up for human rights. gay marriages next!

— shivali chaudhary (@shevali86) April 15, 2014

transgenders can be given benefit under OBC reservation. Now all the forms should have a third category of Gender.

— Queer Azaadi (@queer_azaadi) April 15, 2014

SC grants legal status to #transgenders. a right to live with respect, and be accepted throughout the country.

— Mansimran Kaur (@mansimran_kaur) April 15, 2014

India is the first country to consider transgenders as the third gender. T gets it first. LGB have to wait.

— abhimanyu asokan (@3atag) April 15, 2014

Take a look at some more tweets:

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court lawyer, @vakeel_saheba, informed her 4,200-plus followers that 'SC added a caveat that transgenders DO NOT include Gays, lesbians etc and only include Hijras.' Her tweet was widely cited and many users were seen expressing their sadness about it.

She, however, was not the only one to talk about the issue of illegality of homosexuality. As soon as the verdict was announced many users took to Twitter to tweet about the controversial Section 377, quickly turning #377 into a trend.

Many users were seen asking the top court to 'strike down 377'.

'Dear Supreme Court - agli baar Section 377 ki haar. Thank you in advance.' tweeted Congress spokesperson @priyankac19. Another use @girlcalledjimi tweeted, 'Awesome judgement SC, but it's cool to be a transgender man but not a gay man? #377'

Here are some more tweets:

Should read the Judgment but it sounds a bit odd when you compare this verdict with #377. Same court. Different Judges.

— Krupakar Manukonda (@Krupakar_m) April 15, 2014

Transgenders and 377 cannot be viewed in isolation. They are mutually reinforcing.

— Akil Bakhshi (@AB_Mystique) April 15, 2014

So, if Transgenders are another gender, then 377 doesn't apply to them? What do the legal experts say?

— Accidental Fascist (@sabeaux) April 15, 2014

If only the SC could apply the same foresight to the scrapping of 377 as they have done for the recognition of third gender.

— Shivani Bhasin (@AverseAnarchist) April 15, 2014

Are we sure SC has mentioned 'transgenders' or 'eunuchs' (self-identity vs biology). If the former, the 377 verdict may be revisited.

— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) April 15, 2014