Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jun 29: "When I confessed to my parents that I was a transgender, my parents slapped me and subjected me to house arrest," said Akkai Padmashali, a transgender activist.

She was narrating the stigma faced by transgenders in society, while addressing a legal awareness programme and dialogue with transgenders and sexual minorities organized by the Dakshina Kannada Legal Service Authority in joint collaboration with the Mangalore Bar Association, Dakshina Kannada, zilla panchayat, women and child welfare department, Mangalore city police, Navasahaja Samudhaya Sangatane and Karnataka Sexual Minority Forum. The programme was held in the Netravati Convention Hall at ZP office here on Sunday June 29.

Akkai Padmashali said, "Sexual minorities cannot express their feelings in this caste and culture based patriarchal society. They are rejected by their families and cannot express their feelings openly even to their near and dear ones. They are deprived of education, employment opportunities and basic facilities. Although they have talent, the society has demotivated the sexual minorities.

"They not only face suppression in society, but are sexually harassed and raped. Apart from this, they also face police atrocities," Padmashali added.

"Choosing gender should be the right of an individual. When transgenders have no space to live and are rejected from the mainstream of society, obviously they are compelled into begging and prostitution. Transgenders are now becoming the victims of police atrocities. When they visit any office, they are harassed and insulted," Padmashali said.

"Transgenders also find it hard to get a house on rent and in case they do get one, they are made to pay double the rent. Neither are they accepted for jobs nor do they have an identity card. The police turn people into transgenders by misusing IPC 377. The society has curbed the rights of a transgender. When family and neighbours too reject them, these people are forced to resort to begging or prostitution for a livelihood. Hence society should change its mindset and treat a transgender as a human being," she added.

After inaugurating the programme, first additional district and sessions judge of Dakshina Kannada Uma M G said, "Sexual minorities should be brought into the social mainstream. There is also description about sexual minorities in the times of Ramayana and Mahabharatha; during the rule of the Mughals, transgenders were used to look after the queens. But after the British rule in India, these gender minorities were suppressed. According to the Indian Constitution each individual should get social justice and rights."

"Sexual minorities are deprived of basic facilities, employment and education. They struggle to lead a decent life. The Supreme Court of India has expressed that this group of people form the third gender. There is no awareness on transgenders among the people, but gradually people will know about them and will change their outlook," she added.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said that there are 1,700 transgenders in the district but they do not come forward to receive the Maitri scheme benefits. "They are deprived of various facilities; they have no house, ration card or even an identity card. Banks too do not come forward to provide loans for employment. The transgenders should be given long term rehabilitation," Ibrahim said.

Dr Jagadish, deputy commissioner of police, N S Patil, district civil court judge, Gertrude Veigas, deputy director of women and child welfare department, P Ashok Ariga, president, Mangalore Bar Association, Nanadan from Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, Rajesh from Navasahaja Samudhaya Sangatane and DHO Dr Shivakumar were present on the occasion. Gertrude Veigas welcomed the gathering.

Talking to the media, Akkai Padmashali said, "A committee has been formed for providing rights and welfare support to the transgenders by formulating a policy. A meeting has been organized and in August the draft of the policy will be submitted to the chief minister. There is also demand that the government should provide BPL cards and identity cards for all transgenders. Transgenders are also facing threats from Bajrang Dal and other fundamental outfits. We will also fight to eliminate IPC section 377 (under which gay sex is punishable)."