Punjab creates ‘transgender’ job category for eunuchs

[Butterfly]

Punjab creates 'transgender' job category for eunuchs
By RAGHAV OHRI
12 February, 2010


http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Punjab-creates--transgender--job-category-for-eunuchs/578758


The Punjab government has decided to create a separate category in application forms under which eunuchs can apply for government vacancies.

Although there was no bar on eunuchs to apply for government jobs, this is the first time the state has given them an option to choose their identity apart from the men and women categories.

[PanoramaIsland]

He added that though the sex determination of a eunuch — whether male or female — was ruled out because of the costs involved. "It will be an expensive affair as each detection costs around Rs 2,500. Thus, in order to avoid undue burden on the state exchequer, the Punjab government has decided to keep them in the category of men," Khosla added.

Ickkk. Nice little symbolic concession here, but clearly there's no real change from gender-binary thinking on the government's part.

EDIT: Another Indian Express article uses the term "sexuality" to describe eunuchs:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cant-bar-eunuchs-from-availing-benefits-hc/564887/