RSC to take transgender community closer to science

Aim is to make them involved in the activities of the centre

One step forward: Regional Science Centre Director Manash Bagchi presenting the membership certificate of Innovation Hub to transgender activist Sisily George in the city on Monday. Actor Anjali Ameer, pilot Adam Harry, and activists Sheethal Shyam and Susmi are seen.

The Regional Science Centre (RSC) here on Monday took a step towards taking trans community closer to science and making them involved in the activities of the centre.

As part of its ongoing efforts for inclusiveness, ‘Tansform’, a seminar-cum-interactive session with transpersons, was organised at the centre. Manash Bagchi, centre director, invited the LGBTQ community to use the facilities at the centre in every possible way.

“We want the trans community to realise that we do not discriminate,” Mr. Bagchi, addressing around 100 students of social work from various colleges in the city, said. He highlighted the role of educational institutions in broadening one’s perspectives.

Over the last few years, RSC has organised several programmes in inclusiveness, involving Adivasis, senior citizens, homemakers, jail and juvenile home inmates, and underprivileged children.

Actor Anjali Ameer; Adam, a pilot; transgender activist Sheethal Shyam; Punarjani Cultural Society secretary Sisily George, and Sahodari Cultural Centre secretary Susmi, besides other achievers from the transgender community attended the session.

“At a time when we are facing a lot of stigma, discrimination, and harassment, this space that we have at the science centre is very important,” said Sheethal Shyam. “The visibility that the community now has is the result of a long struggle,” she added.

Transman pilot Adam, however, spoke about the murder of transpersons in the city. “The brutal murders of Shaalu and Uma show that the public perspective of the community has not changed much despite the visibility,” he said.

Inviting the community to be part of ‘Innovation Hub’, a programme of the centre to promote scientific temperament among the masses, Sisily George was given a membership certificate, making her the first transperson to be part of the programme.

Earlier, opening the seminar, Assistant Collector Meghasree D.R. stressed the need to accept that every individual was different and the need to be aware of the rights and threats facing the trans community to work along with them.

Later, Sheethal Shyam explained to students as to why the trans community needed visibility. By My Side , a documentary on the life of transpersons and directed by P. Abhijith, was screened on the occasion.