Frank dialogue and discussion on a topic that is often brushed under the carpet punctuated this one of its kind public hearing where BJP MLA and former Minister Shobha Karandlaje met with members and rights activists from sexuality minorities.
Promises
At the end of the two-hour-long programme, Ms. Karandlaje promised that she would persuade the BJP Government to help ease their troubles. Providing free homes under the existing State Government-funded Ashraya scheme, working out a method to provide voter IDs and ration cards for those belonging to the third gender and even looking into healthcare schemes were some of the promises made. She also said that she would discuss with the Chief Minister the plausibility of a scheme that will allow sexuality minorities above the age of 40 to receive pension of Rs. 400 a month from the government, along the lines of the existing pension scheme for Devadasis.
Ms. Karandlaje, accompanied by BBMP councillors from Dasarahalli and surrounding areas, attended a public hearing outside the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike office in Dasarahalli.
Took notes
The former Minister listened keenly and took notes as transgender rights activists spoke about problems ranging from lack of identification process, access to healthcare and social stigma. Emphasising on her mission to provide “a voice to the voiceless”, Ms. Karandlaje promised to work for the rights of sexuality minorities in the State. She also said that she could not help, but address the “other side” of this story.
“My constituents and even legislators will ask me, ‘what about the transgenders who harass people at traffic signals.' This brings to the fore to identify the ‘real' transgenders so people under the guise of transgenders do not harass commuters,” she said. However, rights activists took objection to this and pointed out that the issue was far more layered, and members of the third gender were often forced to turn to begging or sex work due to lack of jobs and opportunities.
Sowmya, who pointed out that the issue was not only about transgenders, but the entire spectrum of people belonging to sexuality minorities, said that a study had revealed that over 85 per cent of the community consumed alcohol.
“There aren't too many people from our community that are aged above 40 or 50. Where do these people go? They perish due to the lack of any support system whatsoever. Even when we are abused, we have nowhere to complain,” she said.
Another activist Revathi pointed out that that both society and the law often turned against them.
“At hospitals, we are turned away. If people refuse to rent us a room, we cannot complain. It is frustrating, and depression and mental health issues are rampant in our small community,” she said.
