Although human beings are unique, established stereotypes challenge the individual to the core even in a democratic society. What happens when an individual declares his identity which is totally unacceptable by the society (at least socially, if not legally). This is precisely the case of the transgender population.
Transgender population, a sexual minority, is a minority among the minorities in democratic India. Everyday life is a struggle for this community. With many myths and stigmas associated with the community, aspiring for a normal life is a dream (though recent court decisions have opened up new avenues). Prostitution and begging (often involving violent handling of the patrons) were the only options for them earlier. Now, however, the community is marching towards achieving a decent living by organising itself.
Chamarajanagar is the southernmost district of Karnataka. With the tag of the most underdeveloped district of the state, the life of transgender community cannot be expected any better here. With the district sharing its border with Tamil Nadu and Kerala and two of the major national highways passing through it, transgender members resort to flesh trade as well to eke out a living. There is no surprise in the fact that the district has high number of HIV positive population. Samatha Society is a community based initiative of transgender members of the district towards providing a way out of these evils for their own community members.
Acceptance is hard
"When I came open with my sexual identity, my family threw me out. They forcibly took away my election voter ID card and other documents. Now, I am here, disowned by my family and the government too…" says Neetha (name changed), a transgender in Chamarajanagar. She continued, "Though I had a man's body, I knew well that I was a woman deep inside. Finally, I gathered enough courage and declared open my identity. Then I had other challenges too - government departments needed documents which I didn't had…it was tough. But now things have changed. We have our own organisation and things have started changing for the good."
This is not an isolated opinion of a single transgender, but that of over 500 openly declared transgenders of Chamarajanagar. Braving the odds like social boycott and ridicule, passing through the emotional trauma of being disowned by the family, this small section of the society is slowly limping towards finding a place to voice their concerns in one voice. "Living in bigger cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru provides more opportunities even for transgender members, but living in a place like Chamarajanagar with its distinct rural nature, is a huge challenge for a transgender," opines Doreswamy a community worker with Samatha.
Samatha works towards providing employable options for the community members by engaging government machinery. With the help of Zilla Panchayat and other training organisations, it has trained its members to pick up new skills. Learning a new skill itself is a challenge, given the psychological stress of a transgender. This becomes further complicated with the prevalent substance abuse and prostitution. Hence, support in terms of health, skill, credit and market support are the order of priorities for Samatha.
The health support is a two-pronged approach. One is providing medical care to address the issue of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections coupled with emotional support and a regular counselling avenue. The other is offering peer interaction with regular group meetings, says one of the office bearers of Samatha.
"We have a long way to go. The emotional issue is an enormous one. If you come open, that's one challenge; if you don't come open, that's another
challenge. Once the acceptance of one's identity and societal reaction starts, a new life begins too. We need to look beyond prostitution and begging," says Kumari (name changed).
Receiving moral and financial support from the 'Pehchan' programme, which is being implemented as a part of National AIDS Control Programme's target intervention strategy, Samatha has completed five meaningful years in existence. Since 2009, it has helped most of its members to obtain necessary documents so that they become eligible for government schemes like 'Mythri', which provides monthly pension for transgenders. It has also availed the benefit of training provisions of rural employment generating schemes, often plagued by official apathy.
"Five years ago, we were laughed at when went to meet officials. But now they listen to us. Hopefully, in the coming years we also get due respect and attention we deserve as the lawful citizens of the country," says Neetha. Samatha Society has also been active in the District's Systematic Voters Education and Enrolment initiative (SVEEP) of the Election Commission of India. This participation provided an opportunity for them to present the various hurdles faced by eligible transgenders while enrolling their names in the electoral roll, which was promptly addressed by the district administration. Now, the district's electoral roll has over 50 other-gender voters.
A positive beginning in one of the most backward districts of Karnataka has a clear message - if sufferers become organised and put their case forward in unity, finding a solution is not a distant dream.
Transgender population, a sexual minority, is a minority among the minorities in democratic India. Everyday life is a struggle for this community. With many myths and stigmas associated with the community, aspiring for a normal life is a dream (though recent court decisions have opened up new avenues). Prostitution and begging (often involving violent handling of the patrons) were the only options for them earlier. Now, however, the community is marching towards achieving a decent living by organising itself.
Chamarajanagar is the southernmost district of Karnataka. With the tag of the most underdeveloped district of the state, the life of transgender community cannot be expected any better here. With the district sharing its border with Tamil Nadu and Kerala and two of the major national highways passing through it, transgender members resort to flesh trade as well to eke out a living. There is no surprise in the fact that the district has high number of HIV positive population. Samatha Society is a community based initiative of transgender members of the district towards providing a way out of these evils for their own community members.
Acceptance is hard
"When I came open with my sexual identity, my family threw me out. They forcibly took away my election voter ID card and other documents. Now, I am here, disowned by my family and the government too…" says Neetha (name changed), a transgender in Chamarajanagar. She continued, "Though I had a man's body, I knew well that I was a woman deep inside. Finally, I gathered enough courage and declared open my identity. Then I had other challenges too - government departments needed documents which I didn't had…it was tough. But now things have changed. We have our own organisation and things have started changing for the good."
This is not an isolated opinion of a single transgender, but that of over 500 openly declared transgenders of Chamarajanagar. Braving the odds like social boycott and ridicule, passing through the emotional trauma of being disowned by the family, this small section of the society is slowly limping towards finding a place to voice their concerns in one voice. "Living in bigger cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru provides more opportunities even for transgender members, but living in a place like Chamarajanagar with its distinct rural nature, is a huge challenge for a transgender," opines Doreswamy a community worker with Samatha.
Samatha works towards providing employable options for the community members by engaging government machinery. With the help of Zilla Panchayat and other training organisations, it has trained its members to pick up new skills. Learning a new skill itself is a challenge, given the psychological stress of a transgender. This becomes further complicated with the prevalent substance abuse and prostitution. Hence, support in terms of health, skill, credit and market support are the order of priorities for Samatha.
The health support is a two-pronged approach. One is providing medical care to address the issue of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections coupled with emotional support and a regular counselling avenue. The other is offering peer interaction with regular group meetings, says one of the office bearers of Samatha.
"We have a long way to go. The emotional issue is an enormous one. If you come open, that's one challenge; if you don't come open, that's another
challenge. Once the acceptance of one's identity and societal reaction starts, a new life begins too. We need to look beyond prostitution and begging," says Kumari (name changed).
Receiving moral and financial support from the 'Pehchan' programme, which is being implemented as a part of National AIDS Control Programme's target intervention strategy, Samatha has completed five meaningful years in existence. Since 2009, it has helped most of its members to obtain necessary documents so that they become eligible for government schemes like 'Mythri', which provides monthly pension for transgenders. It has also availed the benefit of training provisions of rural employment generating schemes, often plagued by official apathy.
"Five years ago, we were laughed at when went to meet officials. But now they listen to us. Hopefully, in the coming years we also get due respect and attention we deserve as the lawful citizens of the country," says Neetha. Samatha Society has also been active in the District's Systematic Voters Education and Enrolment initiative (SVEEP) of the Election Commission of India. This participation provided an opportunity for them to present the various hurdles faced by eligible transgenders while enrolling their names in the electoral roll, which was promptly addressed by the district administration. Now, the district's electoral roll has over 50 other-gender voters.
A positive beginning in one of the most backward districts of Karnataka has a clear message - if sufferers become organised and put their case forward in unity, finding a solution is not a distant dream.