HYDERABAD: Trans rights activists have staged a protest here against the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) amendment bill and demanded its withdrawal.They demanded explicit recognition of transmen in all laws and protection of their dignity, identity, and fundamental rights.The protesters have also demanded the complete removal of medical board involvement in issuing transgender certificates and to do away with the policies that allegedly portray transgender individuals as criminals.The protest held at Dharna Chowk here on Sunday was against the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) amendment bill, 2026 introduced in the Lok Sabha. The participants raised slogans like “Our Body – Our Rights”, and demanded its immediate withdrawal, calling it “completely inhumane”, the organisers said in a release.Advocate G Kiran Raj said that gender identity is not influenced by anyone else, but is a deeply personal and natural feeling. He also strongly condemned the involvement of medical boards in issuing transgender certificates.Activist Surya Raj Yadav said forcing a person to go before medical boards to validate their gender identity is a violation of their dignity, privacy, and right to self-determination.“Gender identity must be based on self-identification, not medical examinations,” Yadav said. He further alleged that the 2026 amendment bill is completely inhumane. The members of the Queer Bandhu Parents Association also participated in the protest.The protesters further warned that if their rights are not given to them they will lay siege to secretariats across the country, the release added.
