Transpersons have right to marry under existing law

Transpersons have right to marry under existing law

Subject: Polity

Section: Constitution

Context:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that transgender persons in heterosexual relationships have the right to marry under existing law.

About Judgment:

• A Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud held that “transgender persons in heterosexual relationships have the freedom and entitlement to marry under the existing statutory provisions”.
• The gender of a person is not the same as their sexuality. A person is a transgender person by virtue of their gender identity. A transgender person may be heterosexual or homosexual or of any other sexuality.
• If a transgender person is in a heterosexual relationship and wishes to marry their partner (and if each of them meets the other requirements set out in the applicable law), such a marriage would be recognised by the laws governing marriage.
• Since a transgender person can be in a heterosexual relationship like a cismale or cis­female, a union between a transwoman and a transman, or a transwoman and a cisman, or a trans man  and a ciswoman can be registered under marriage laws.
• A transgender man has the right to marry a cisgender woman under the laws governing marriage in the country, including personal laws.
• Similarly, a transgender woman has the right to marry a cisgender man. A transgender man and a transgender woman can also marry.