In a glaring instance of discrimination based on sexual orientation, a group of youngsters, including two transgenders were denied entry into a swanky multiplex, Inox inside a plush mall - GVK One.
The incident elicited the ire of scores of members of the community on social media platforms, including Instagram, twitter and facebook.
Ironically the group had gone to the mall to watch the queer themed film, Time Out.
The first to be stopped was a transgender Vyjayanthi Vasanta Mogli, who works in a corporate company in Hyderabad.
She was stopped and asked to leave as she was standing in front of the ticket counter of the mall, she said. According to the group, the man who tried to shove them off identified himself as the head of security.
“He asked bluntly why I was at the mall. And even after I explained that our group was there to watch the film Time Out, he insisted that we should leave,” she said.
Her friend Madhumati, another transgender was also questioned. As the group vehemently opposed the security personnel’s move, the management representative refused to apologise to the group. “We are sure that they identified us as transgender and stopped us. But, when asked why we were stopped the person, who confronted us only flashed his authority and said it was done randomly,” Ms. Mogli said.
Her friend, Shyam Konnur, a gay rights activist, who posted the group’s picture on Instagram, is a corporate employee based out in Pune, who had come to the city for a short visit. “I was startled by the invasion. And it was very clear that they wanted us to leave,” Mr. Konnur said.
Ms. Mogli said that after arguing for close to an hour, the mall staff let the group in.
According to the members, such instances are common, as transgenders are identified easily. “Corporate companies should implement Nalsa judgement that makes it mandatory for institutions to comply by rules that protect the interests of transgender people,” Ms. Mogli explained.
The group plans to lodge a complaint against human rights violation.
