Government College, Malappuram, is set to open an exclusive toilet for transgenders. College authorities said they had earmarked a toilet for the transgenders and it would be opened with slight modifications soon.
This college will become the first in the State to dedicate a toilet exclusively for the transgender. Although Maharaja’s College, Kochi, has transgenders on its campus, what the college has is a queer-friendly toilet and not a separate one for the transwomen
students.
Malappuram Government College had hogged the limelight last week when transwoman Riya Isha joined the campus, heralding a historic moment for transgenders in the district. Riya was the first Muslim transwoman to join a college in this part of the State.
The college authorities have expressed readiness to provide all help for Riya. “We are ready to give them whatever facility they want,” said Government College principal K.S. Maya. “We prepared a toilet exclusively for Riya even before she joined the college,” Dr. Maya said.
However, when Riya said she was comfortable with other students and that she did not need a separate toilet, the college authorities did not open the TG toilet.
“We can’t insist on them using an exclusive toilet. It’s their choice. We are ready to help them by all means,” said L. Suprabha, head of the Department of Economics. Riya is undergoing BA Economics programme at Government College, Malappuram. But Riya has changed her mind. “I want an exclusive toilet. I may be comfortable without it; but other transgenders who take admission here in future may not be comfortable. It’s not only our right, but recognition for the TG fraternity as well,” Riya told The Hindu . Student groups on the campus too have been excited about their new guest. They welcomed Riya in a jubilant fashion. They said they would do anything to make Riya comfortable on the campus. “In fact, we had raised the demand first for an exclusive toilet for Riya. We are happy the college has responded positively by keeping aside one,” said SFI college unit secretary N. Anurag and SFI district committee member T.P. Tansi.
