Two years after the Supreme Court recognised transgenders as the “third gender,” the community remains marginalised. Members of the transgender community are now keen that April 15, the day was judgment was made, be declared as Transgenders' Day, and a Transgenders' Welfare Board be set up in the state.
The Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, in coordination with non-profit organisation PAYANA, held a programme for the community in the city on Friday. Several transgenders who have made contributions to society were awarded during the programme.
Sumitra, a transgender, was honoured for her role in Naanu Avanalla Avalu and Sangeetamma was felicitated for getting a doctorate.
“The transgender community is also a part of the society and we too deserve equal respect and rights. While the thinking of the people has changed in big cities, in the rural areas, there still exists taboos about us,” said Sowmyashree, a member of the transgender community. She added that there was a need for society to acknowledge their social, legal and political identity.
BBMP Mayor G. Padmavathi spoke about the initiatives taken by the State to promote the development of transgenders. “An amount of ₹2 crore has been allocated in the budget, besides various facilities like vocational training for transgenders in computer operation and running beauty parlours. A stipend and certificate will be provided for those who attend the training programmes,” she said.
Scholarships would also be provided to deserving candidates, she said. Sonu Niranjan, who acted in an award-winning documentary on his life, That's My Boy, said that the main aim behind the film was to highlight the plight of the transgenders and enable society to understand that transgenders too needed to be treated equally.
