For the first time in the history of Indian television, a transsexual will anchor a talk show on problems facing the community like discrimination which force most to begging or sex work and a host of other issues generally pushed under the carpet as taboo.

The half-hour, late-night talk show called Ippadikku Rose (Yours Rose) will be hosted by 28-year-old Rose on a Tamil channel, Star Vijay, once a week. The show will begin some time in December, Star Vijay’s programme head Pradeep Milroy Peter told reporters here on Thursday.

Rose, a chemical engineer who has completed M.S. in biomedical engineering in the US and who hails from Chennai, will discuss homosexuality, alternative sexuality, child abuse, sex abuse and other such issues.

Dressed in costumes that would range from designer saris to western clothes, Rose will talk to celebrities on issues like phobias, rebellion and beauty.

Rose had won a beauty pageant for transgenders this year in Chennai. Refusing to join the stereotyped transgender community, Rose hopes to set an example with her talk show.

Shooting for the show will begin in a couple of weeks. Stylist choreographer Sunil Menon will be designing the clothes for Rose.

Rose who was expelled from home walked out to fight for the rights of transsexuals.