Mangalore, November 24: The transgender community in Mangalore is willing to work and earn a living with dignity rather than beg on the streets and other public places, said Ramya, a member of the transgender community at an open discussion programme organized jointly by the DK Zilla Mahila Vedike, Mangalore, and Bethany Service Centre, Bendoor, on Saturday.
Pouring out the troubles and pain faced by the transgenders, Ms. Ramya said that she had run away from home after her family started troubling her owing to her physical differences. “I heard that my father died a couple of years ago but I did not attend the funeral. We don't get to attend the weddings of our relatives. We are looked at as cheap people and are made fun of. Some hurl abuses at us and even come forward to hit us”, she said.
Sandhya, another member of the transgender community present at the meet, said that she had completed her education till II PUC but had to discontinue studies because of the societal pressure. Transgenders also have feelings and emotions and craving for sexual satisfaction and hence a lot of them look forward to getting the gender surgery done which is quite expensive, she said.
When a person in the audience asked as to why the transgenders touch people and nudge them demanding money, Ms. Sandhya said that some people like it when they are touched while some do not. Ms. Ramya on the other hand said that there are many men who tease them and touch them and play with their clothes, in retaliation to which they too get physical and hurt men back.
On another similar query, Ms. Ramya said that many men dress up like transgenders and go about begging while in fact they do not belong to the transgender community at all.
Ms. Ramya said that there is no proper NGO or government agency around to take care of their needs. “We want ration cards and identity proofs”, she said.
Sr Mariola, Director of Jeevandhara Social Service Trust, said that under the poverty eradication programme of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), there is a provision of night shelters for women and where training in skill development and vocation is given, which could benefit the transgender community. To this, Irene Rebello, Skill Development Expert, District Urban Development Cell, said that although the night shelter concept is a good suggestion, the factor whether other women in the night shelter accept the transgenders living with them must also be considered. A separate night shelter and employment opportunity in the form of a group business activity wherein products are manufactured by transgenders in anonymity and marketing of which is taken care of by others separately, can be looked into, she opined.
Veeresh of CARDTS, an NGO, said that a DAPCU (District Aids Programme Control Unit) official has been working for the transgender community and with greater coordination, many facilities could be extended to them.
MB Sadashiva, Lion's Club member and District President of the Janatha Dal (Secular), said that an attempt needs to be made at providing a distinct identity proof for the genuine members of the transgender community backed by medical procedures and requested NGOs to come forward in this regard.
Ivan D'Souza, Advocate and Congress leader, Jaya Shree, Head Constable, Pandeshwar Women's Police Station, Shubha BS, Superior, Bethany, US Mohan Suvarna, Journalist, Suresh Bhat Bakrabail, activist, Choodamani of Mahila Vedike, were present besides others.
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