See beauty and grace of India's third gender in pictures

In a landmark judgement in 2014, the Supreme Court of India officially recognized transsexual people as a third gender. The comprehensive judgement redefines their rights and the state's obligation to them as one of India's most marginalized groups.

They are now occupying important positions in administration, leading colleges and moving forward one step at a time.

But discrimination and lack of understanding still leave the Hijra minority on the fringes of society. Even though they have been a visible part of India's culture for centuries, this minority suffers from harassment, and misunderstanding.

Yes, hijras or transsexuals are still discriminated against.

Due to lack of equal opportunities, many of them are still trapped in the sex trade, while most earn their living by prostitution, begging or as dancers, they are often subjected to abuse and discrimination.

Violence and hate crimes against the community are common, as is housing and other discrimination, because of which many live in poverty. They face severe harassment at the hands of the state and the wider population.

Even today, the hijra community continues to serve as a refuge for many people experiencing, poverty, violence and family rejection. Unfortunately, all of these scenarios are heartbreakingly common in India, where culturally queer identities are still seen as unnatural.

The truth is that people in our country rarely appreciate their grace and beauty that they so desperately wish to be.

Jill Peters, a photographer from New York, who explores sexuality, identity and culture and her recent work 'Nirvan, the Third', documents the hijra community in India. He captured some of the third genders in their most beautiful self.

“My intention was simply to portray them as the subjects of beauty and grace they so desperately wish to be, as if their path to nirvana had not been impeded by a century and a half of prejudice and intolerance.” Jill Peters.

Peters said, she approached a beautiful hijra on a Mumbai street and asked if she could take her photograph. That shoot inspired a series of portraits of eunuchs in a studio and, later, on the beach.

Banu, Harsha, Debo, Muskan, Anusha, Sangeeta, Julie all are looking amazingly stunning and graceful in these portraits....