Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Third gender fights for a space to call their own

Mini Muringatheri

Coimbatore: It is an attempt to assert their rightful place in a society from where they have been discarded. Trapped in men's bodies, ostracised by even their parents, these she-boys try to hide their identity behind brightly-painted faces and heavy imitation jewellery.

Now, the 2,000-odd transgenders of Coimbatore see a ray of rope in TAI-Vizhudugal, a community-based organisation that plans to take up their fight for basic rights and entitlements.

Violence

Considered an HIV high-risk group, the transsexuals are often subjected to violence by family, society and the police. They are denied the rights of a citizen, and are not even allowed to walk comfortably on roads. "Many of them are pushed out of the family by their own parents and siblings," says Lakshmi Bai, project coordinator, Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative (TAI-VHS), a Voluntary Health Service project.

"They are barred from most of the mainstream jobs. With no other options, these destitutes are dragged into prostitution or basti (begging). Many fall pray to traffickers too. Realising the vulnerability of the group to HIV, the immediate goal of the new initiative is to make them aware of safe health measures. Safe sex practices are linked to marginalisation the transsexuals face. The society should recognise their worth," says Lakshmi Bai. For the destitute transgenders, the organisation has started a short-stay home. And about 60 free STD clinics are ready to meet their health needs.

Only efforts that emerge within the community will be sustainable. "Formed and led by the community itself, this new collective aims at empowering this marginalised community to articulate their needs," says N.S. Murali, Honorary Secretary of VHS.

Training

About a dozen from the community itself was selected as executive members and they will be given capacity building training by TAI-VHS and city-based Native Medicare Charitable Trust (NMCT). They in turn will help their clan develop their skills and enhance their self-esteem. The CBO will help them to access medical and financial help.

"The collective will enable the community to stand together in crisis situations they face frequently," says A. Sankaranarayanan, Director, NMCT.

However, their efforts to get into the mainstream society are very clear. Prasanna Kumari (Prasanna Kumar originally), working as a data entry operator, asks her friends to leave the traditional `jobs'. There are more than 20 successful self-helf groups among transgenders.

Of course, society is putting many hurdles on their path. "To get a house on rent is a real problem for us," says Rathi, an SHG member from Erode. As third gender is not recognised by society, they face a problem to get bank loans too.

Important day

Many of the 500-odd transgenders gathered at Koundapalayam, during the launch of TAI-Vizhudugal recently, make a living through non-traditional work and run their own businesses. "This is an important day for us," said Devi, president of the Community Committee Members' Collective. "It is the beginning of a revolutionary change. Let society take note of this beginning."

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