Claimed to be the first of its kind in the State, a gender-neutral lavatory will soon be opened in Kozhikode.
The new toilet block being constructed as part of S.M. Street renovation will have a separate section for transgenders, said District Collector U.V. Jose, addressing members of the community at a meeting organised by the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) and Kasaba Janamaitri Police here on Tuesday.
Gender-neutral toilets have been a long-standing demand of the transgender community across the State. There are around 350 transgenders in Kozhikode district registered under the Punarjani cultural society.
Meanwhile, a TG clinic will soon open at the Government General Hospital at Kozhikode Beach. The clinic relieves the transgenders from the ordeal of waiting at outpatient counters bearing the insults and comments of onlookers.
Now, the transgenders shall directly approach the TG clinic, where any doctor will be available on call.
Circle Inspector of Kasaba P. Pramod invited the transgenders to be trained as autorickhsaw and taxi drivers and, in turn, as tourist guides.
The DLSA and Kasaba Janamaitri police have been actively involved in ensuring proper livelihood for the transgender community in the city.
The DLSA has a 12-point action plan for the development of the community that includes making them part of social gatherings and helping them complete their basic education. The Janamaitri police are planning to open night shelters for all wandering people, including transgenders.
