DINDIGUL: Access to education and work for transgenders, due recognition for them and effective implementation of government schemes meant for them will prevent young transgenders from becoming sex workers and beggars, and help the community lead a better life. These points were stressed at a national seminar on ‘Literature of the transgenders’ held at Gandhigram Rural Institute here on Monday.
Plenary speaker transgender writer A. Revathi said many people failed to respect and recognise feelings and individualism of others. Students and youths should treat transgenders as friends and human beings like others in society. Change of attitude of individuals would bring a desirable change in the lives of transgenders. Stigmatisation of them started at home. Lack of support in society worsened their living condition.
Transgender poet Kalki Subramaniam said with no change in the education system, the sufferings and struggles of the transgenders had not come down. Education should be given to all young transgenders. Enough space should be given for them in society so that they could lead a decent life.
Transgender writer Priya Babu said the transgenders were simultaneously revered and ridiculed by the traditional Indian society. But Tamil scholars, poets and writers, who lived between the first and the 14th century, elaborated on what the present society refused or hesitated to speak about the transgenders.
There was a deep understanding of the transgenders in those days. While ‘Naaladiyar’ praised their dance and art skills, ‘Tirumandhiram’ spoke about their physical features and living standard. ‘Tholkappiyam’ mentioned about their dance and art skills and the presence of north Indian transgenders in Tamil Nadu, and ‘Seevaga Sinthamani’ described their social status.
Ms. Priya Babu further said ‘Neelakesi Thirumarai Sarukkam’ dealt with the grief of transgenders over their inability to deliver babies, and ‘Silapathikaram’ mentioned about the physical transition experienced by the transgenders.
