Statement on Indian government's passing of the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026

Desi Rainbow strongly condemns the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill on March 26, which significantly rolls back rights that were established a decade ago. This bill actively harms transgender people by denying self-identification, narrows the legal definition of a transgender person to erase trans men, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals from legal recognition and subjects trans people to scrutiny by state-appointed medical boards and district magistrates. Even more chilling is that the bill introduces severe penalties, including life imprisonment, for those who "abduct" or "forcefully alter" the identities of children or adults—provisions that could be used to target affirming parents, NGOs, medical providers, or chosen families that support trans youth, 

We are appalled and saddened by the erasure of transgender rights in India in a single act that reverses a decade of progress.

We represent a large Indian American diaspora consisting of LGBTQIA+ South Asians and their parents and allies, who are proud of India’s trans community and its history of resilience. We stand in solidarity with trans people in India in their battle for legal recognition and equal rights.

If you need support to process this painful moment, here are some resources:

In the United States:

- Desi Rainbow Support Groups: April 7th, LGBTQIA+ group (https://www.desirainbow.org/lgbtq-info), April 14, Parent & Family group (https://www.desirainbow.org/family-info)

- Saathi - talk to a Desi Rainbow Saathi volunteer (https://www.desirainbow.org/saathi)

- Contact Deqh, a Desi LGBTQ+ helpline (https://www.deqh.org/)

In India:

- Sweekar Rainbow Parents   (https://sweekartrp.org/for-lgbtqia-individuals/)