Transgenders

Yesterday - 24th April 2009 at our regular meeting (Jpint meeting with the RC of Esplanade) we had Kalki a transgender speaking about the problems faced by her community. Harassment, lack of equal opportunities, emotional problems and more being faced by her community, where highlighted by her. It was a revelation to most present. many did not even realise that transgenders where around, this exactly was the point being made by Kalki, she claimed that they were the silent minority. While other minorities such as muslims, christians and also the disabled where being treated with dignity, transgenders where continuously being discrimnated against.

Kalki stated that the problems faced by transgenders needed to be tackled from both sides. The transgenders themselves as well as the community in which they lived would have to make adjustments, a new way of looking at transegnders must evolve and the transgenders themselves must want to change and look at the community in which they live in better light.

Counselling by trained Psychiatrists over a period of time would help and so also the understanding of the mind of a transgender by the community.

There are over 2500 transgenders living in Chennai without basic amenities and opportunities.

A few NGO's use transgenders for sensitivising people on AIDs and for disctribution of condoms. While the transgenders did take on these jobs they were not happy with what they were doing. They feel that they are being used for the very purpose that many hate them for.

So much to think about and so much to do for these people. Maybe we should take on a project to provide the counselling services to transgenders.