<p>Activists belonging to the lesbian gay bisexual transgender (LGBT) forums have called for banning Zefo products for being homophobic and discriminating against a woman for her sexual orientation.<br /><br />The LGBT community decided to ban the company’s products after there were reports that a 25-year-old woman was sacked due to her sexual orientation on Wednesday. Zefo is an online furniture resale company in HSR Layout. The LGBT community has also started a social media campaign to defame the company.<br />Addressing a media conference on Thursday, Romal Laisram, an activist, said, “The women, even if they are lesbians, have every right to choose how they want to lead their lives. It is important to know about the real issue and not delve into peripheries.”<br /><br />Vidya, a representative of All Sorts of Queer, Bangalore, said, “Society is running on the domains of patriarchy. The queer women, although these women are not, are doubly marginalised as they are looked down in society.”<br /><br />Adding to this, Sana, representing Karnataka Transgender Association, said, “People make ridiculous allegations if they come to know that a woman is a lesbian. They even say that they are sex workers. Who are they to label our identities?”<br /><br />The woman’s legal advisors told DH that Zefo management is in touch with the woman and are requesting her to return to work. However, the woman is still unsure of pursuing the job with the same company fearing stigma from colleagues.<br /><br />Meanwhile, LGBT activists have denied the fact that the women are lesbians and asked a section of media not to infringe on their privacy. There were reports in a section of media that a 25-year-old woman had married a 21-year-old woman terming it as the first same sex marriage of the city.<br /><br />It was later found to be a case of domestic violence faced by the younger woman from her parents. The victim found solace in the older woman, who also happens to be her distant relative, she decided to move in with her by the end of May.</p>
<p>Activists belonging to the lesbian gay bisexual transgender (LGBT) forums have called for banning Zefo products for being homophobic and discriminating against a woman for her sexual orientation.<br /><br />The LGBT community decided to ban the company’s products after there were reports that a 25-year-old woman was sacked due to her sexual orientation on Wednesday. Zefo is an online furniture resale company in HSR Layout. The LGBT community has also started a social media campaign to defame the company.<br />Addressing a media conference on Thursday, Romal Laisram, an activist, said, “The women, even if they are lesbians, have every right to choose how they want to lead their lives. It is important to know about the real issue and not delve into peripheries.”<br /><br />Vidya, a representative of All Sorts of Queer, Bangalore, said, “Society is running on the domains of patriarchy. The queer women, although these women are not, are doubly marginalised as they are looked down in society.”<br /><br />Adding to this, Sana, representing Karnataka Transgender Association, said, “People make ridiculous allegations if they come to know that a woman is a lesbian. They even say that they are sex workers. Who are they to label our identities?”<br /><br />The woman’s legal advisors told DH that Zefo management is in touch with the woman and are requesting her to return to work. However, the woman is still unsure of pursuing the job with the same company fearing stigma from colleagues.<br /><br />Meanwhile, LGBT activists have denied the fact that the women are lesbians and asked a section of media not to infringe on their privacy. There were reports in a section of media that a 25-year-old woman had married a 21-year-old woman terming it as the first same sex marriage of the city.<br /><br />It was later found to be a case of domestic violence faced by the younger woman from her parents. The victim found solace in the older woman, who also happens to be her distant relative, she decided to move in with her by the end of May.</p>
