Transgender and intersex members of the LGBTQI+ community seek separate policies for horizontal reservation, while the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department hopes for a united one.
V. Amuthavalli, Commissioner of Social Welfare, presided over a meeting on January 20, where over 150 members of the LGBTQIA+ community from across Chennai put forth their suggestions for a policy regarding the Madras High Court’s order on requesting the State to consider the possibility of 1% reservation in education and employment in the public sector.
According to M. Radha, a Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board member, the members of the LGBQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, and so on) community requested that they be included in the reservation as well, as many have become homeless after coming out.
“Meanwhile, transpersons and intersex people mentioned that they faced more difficulties as their gender identity changed, due to which they were not admitted to educational institutions and hence found it tough to secure white-collar jobs. They contested that LGBQ+ members can still avail themselves of formal education even after they come out. Transpersons and intersex people demanded separate policies. However, the government cannot formulate individual policies for reservation,” she said.
Ms. Radha stated, “I am also a transperson who understands the difficulties. But, a unified front would make the policy stronger. In many cases, transpersons have adopted members of the LGBQ+ community as children when the latter required shelter and also helped in paying education fees. As everyone comes together to celebrate Pride month, they must consider being part of one family and push for one policy.”
She said, “The society deems TG to be alm seekers or sex workers. But, with this policy, the lives of nearly 15,000 transpersons can change, and many can become officials in government departments like I have.”
