Mangalore: Neglected and oppressed: Transgenders narrate agony of being stigmatized


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)."

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Mos Quixo, Dubai

    Tue, Jul 01 2014

    Every time I feel indifferent I choose to use "In someones shoes theory". then we think how many will still say the same. Be thankful you weren't as mis-fortunate. Being born different shouldn't mean that they shouldn't have a life. All the power to you buddy. Long live the revolution.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore / Kwt

    Tue, Jul 01 2014

    Its high time society accepts the fact that transgender is a sexual abnormality and it’s highly unfair to stigmatize such people. Contrary to the handicapped and disabled, they are fully capable of leading normal lives. All they need is fair treatment from both men and women. In short they just need to be treated as human beings.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aysha, Mangalore, Muscat

    Mon, Jun 30 2014

    Dear Mr.Fernandes,

    i hope you know the difference between gay/lesbian and transgenders.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, BAHRAIN

    Mon, Jun 30 2014

    Equality for all, no discrimination. God has made some people different. We shall respect them & treat them equals !!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Fernandes, Dubai

    Mon, Jun 30 2014

    Since you have quoted GOD, I request you to read the bible or any other holy book properly before commenting.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vipul , Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 29 2014

    Ms Padmashali, we Mangaloreans, even though educated, lack understanding of human sexuality. Many of them will comment as if they are experts in the field. Yes, British rule has brought all the draconian rules which we still follow. To be accepted by this society we need a miracle. I have seen from the comments here that we have a long way to go. More power to you. You are really a courageous person. Article 377 is an insult to the 21st century India.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 29 2014

    It is time that we have a humane approach to the present day situation where Trans-genders are rejected by society. They are all human being deserving to be treated in a humane manner.

    Joe Gonsalves

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonslaves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 29 2014

    I hope science and doctors can do the transgenders into a woman or a man.

    Who will pay huge sums of money to doctors?!

    Doctors are behind the money. For money they will work day and night. Sometimes they will do research and once they find the knowhow then to get appointment to this doctor you have to wait for years or heavy bribe to get him.

    I feel very pity for these gransgenders. Government should give them jobs on reservation basis.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ajith, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 29 2014

    Instead of giving legitimacy to these people why not the world using science, convert them to either a fully Man or Woman so that they lead a natural life.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vipul, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 29 2014

    These transgender community is asking for understanding to begin with. It is not easy to go through all the medical procedures to convert the physical part of the human body. How many people can afford that?
    Showing some compassion and not being ignorant will be of great help.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Mangalore: Neglected and oppressed: Transgenders narrate agony of being stigmatized



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.