The Tiruchi City Corporation has set up an exclusive toilet for transgenders at the Central Bus Stand in the city.
Claimed to be one of the firsts for transgenders in the State, the toilet has been built at a cost of about ₹9.8 lakh. The toilet has Western and Indian water closets.
The toilet has been constructed along the space, where public urinals for men and women are located. However, sufficient space has been provided between the urinals and the toilet for transgenders.
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The toilet, with a signboard indicating it as a facility for transgenders, was thrown open for public use without much fanfare recently. The Corporation does not collect user charges. The civic body has employed a person for its maintenance.
“We feel happy to meet the long pending demand of transgenders. Tiruchi is one among the first cities to have an exclusive toilet for transgenders. We hope the facility will offer solution to the difficulties being faced by them while using public toilets. They will get much needed privacy,” N. Ravichandran, Commissioner cum Special Officer, Tiruchi City Corporation told The Hindu .
Considering the various issues involved in maintaining the toilet, the Corporation is exploring opportunities for handing over the operation and maintenance of the toilet to voluntary organisations working for the rights and welfare of the third gender.
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However, the establishment of an exclusive toilet for them does not enthuse a section of transgenders living in Tiruchi, who feel that it will only result in further discrimination against them.
“The intention behind the concept is good. But, I have not come across any issues when using the existing public toilets. Hence, I do not agree with the concept of exclusive toilets for transgenders. The idea should not be to exclude us,” says Kajol, member, Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board.
X. Gayathiri, another third gender, said that the government had a greater role to play in providing education, housing and employment opportunities for transgenders. “Exclusive toilets would no way solve their main problems,” Gayathri said.