The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Saturday took a step forward in bringing transgenders into mainstream politics, inducting nine members of the community into the organisation.
The PMG unit committee, headed by Surya Abhilash, is the first unit of the DYFI in the country to have members of the transgender community, according to federation State joint secretary I. Saju.
“The DYFI is an organisation which stands for a politics beyond the borders of religion, caste, class, and gender, upholding humanistic values. The national conference held in Kochi earlier this year had decided to involve transgenders too in its activities. We have to make everyone aware that the issues faced by all of us, owing to adverse economical and communal policies, are the same, whatever gender we may belong to,” said Mr. Saju.
Speaking after receiving her membership, unit secretary Shyama said it was a proud moment for her and the transgender community.
‘New start’
“Usually when we speak, or when others speak of us, we are referred to as the marginalised. It is about time we stopped using that term. This is a new start for us. We are proud to be members of the first such unit in the country. We have only a few platforms to speak our issues and politics. This could be the beginning of the change. This is not just for us, but for all the future generations,” she said.
According to DYFI State committee member and Kunnukuzhy ward councillor I.P. Binu, the members of the new unit were drawn from the three special Kudumbashree units with transgenders that was set up a few months ago.
