The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : More welfare schemes for transgenders soon

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Sunday, Jul 20, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

More welfare schemes for transgenders soon

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board has partnered with Madras Christian Council of Social Service, a non-governmental organisation, for undertaking a socio-economic survey and launching a capacity building programme for the transgender community.

Announcing this at a function here on Thursday, chairperson of the Board Salma said she had appealed to the Central Social Welfare Board to provide assistance following requests from the transgender community for such an intervention. In response, the central board had sanctioned Rs. 2 lakh last month, Ms. Salma said.

Shakti Devi, a member of the transgender community, appealed to the Board to help uneducated transgendered persons find employment. “Allow us to coexist along with other members of society,” she said.

Speaking at the meeting, Social Welfare Minister Geetha Jeevan appealed to the transgender community members to come forward utilise the counselling services and sex-reassignment surgeries made available in medical colleges of Vellore and Kanyakumari.

Member of Parliament Kanimozhi urged transgendered persons to come out of their comfort zone. She added that they needed to face the world with courage.

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