The need for sensitivity

The week-long ‘Bengaluru Pride 2012’ events have done well in creating more awareness among the ordinary folk on the ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender’ community (LGBT).

The various events were designed to portray the atrocities against this community. The general refrain running through all the events was that despite several efforts to sensitise people, discrimination continues.

  Notable among the Pride events was a performance on the Karnataka Police Act by the members of the LGBT community. The one-hour-long performance opened with a bus scene, where the transgenders are harassed not only by fellow travellers but by bus conductors as well.

Another scene portrayed how it is almost impossible for transgenders to get a job anywhere. The insensitivity of the employers was portrayed. Another scene depicted the cops misbehaving with transgenders.

“The subjects we touched upon in the performance are really happening. This year, the Pride events are an awakening of sorts. I hope this goes on to make a difference to their lives,” says Shruti, a supporter. After watching the play, Sudha, a transgender, says, “I am glad that our deplorable state is being noticed by the ordinary people.

Acceptance by the ordinary people is important for us to walk freely. I think these events are a first steps towards change.” During the discussion after the play, people firmly stated that attitudes must change for the state of transgenders to improve.

Another event, more of a get-together of the transgender community in the City, had more than 50 people from this community come together for a discussion that strove to understand the meaning of gender and how it is misconstrued today; sex and its many connotations and what being a transgender means.

Akkai Padmashali, with Sangama, an organisation working for the cause of transgenders, says, “Gender is what an individual perceives it to be and sex has various interpretations.

 It is hard for transgenders to stand up for their rights and make a living. They remain sidelined and are discriminated against at every level. We are trying to change that through programmes like this.” Priyanka, who works as a radio jockey, confesses that she too has been through her fair share of suffering.

“There was time when my family was shocked when I told them that I am a transgender. But somehow, things got better for me and I have a regular job and am accepted by my family members.”

Christy Raj is biologically a female but relates more with the feelings of a man. “In school, I was attracted to women and I was chucked out of school on the grounds that I was mentally unstable. In my workplace too, I faced a similar fate.

 Then, one day, I ran away from home, cut my long hair very short, wore pants and a shirt and dressed like a man.  It’s tough for me — the chances of being sexuality exploited are always staring me in my face.”

The discussion did well to clear the air about the transgenders and those who comprised the ‘Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgenders’ community.