Transgenders live a lie to survive

I wasn’t given a hall ticket to write the DSC examination because of my gender, claimed Tara, a transgender, while speaking at the Telangana Hijra Intersex Transgender Samiti on Sunday. The group was protesting at Indira Park demanding equal rights for transgenders.

The transgenders elicited many instances where they have been discriminated. Bittu says he hasn’t updated his name and gender on his certificates registered by his parents in the fear of losing his job. There are many transgenders who are languishing in this hell-hole.

“Accepting the truth of their life makes life a living hell. No jobs, no education to us, how do we survive?” transgenders question the government. They have been fighting and waiting for the past year-and-a-half for the implementation of NALSA Act.

Transgenders across Telangana grieve that the stigma against them is rampant across the state. Vijayanti, one of the transgenders says that working in the corporate sector in Hyderabad is hard as they are not treated equally.

“I’m the only transgender in my company. I do not want to mention the company’s name as I fear that I might lose my job. But the fact remains that I face discrimination at my job,” she said. “Usually they are not invited for interviews. But if they do attend, they are treated with minimum respect,” Vijayanti added.

“Discrimination against transgenders is an issue that has to be dealt from the roots. Children in school are to be taught that there are other genders other than male and female. More discussions have to be held on transgenders to enlighten people and to treat transgenders as equals,” she suggested.

Human Rights Activist Mary spoke about the issues that transgenders face and demanded the Telangana government to immediately implementation the NALSA Act. “There are going to be more rallies, protests, discussions in order to make the government officials to pull up their socks against this discrimination,” she said.

By Suharika K Rachavelpula