Toilet for transgenders raises a stink

Lavatory earlier meant for specially-abled people allotted for third sex

 While the Ce- ntre is still mulling over introducing separate toilets for transgenders (TG) at public places, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat took a bold step and opened an exclusive toilet for third sex in the city, claimed to be first in India.

However, the facility has triggered a controversy as it was earlier opened for the benefit of specially-abled people.

With November 19 observed as World Toilet Day, the authorities concerned dedicated the facility to the TG community. Though it brought smiles on the faces of sexual minorities, it riled up the specially-abled people. One such peeved person was S S Vaidyanatha, an advocate and specially-abled himself, who has decided to lodge a complaint with Deputy Commissioner C Shikha.

Vaidyanatha, also a senior director of the Mysore Bar Association, said: “Three toilets have been built at the city bus stand. Among them, two were reserved for physically challenged passengers. Now, with one toilet being allotted for transgenders, the specially-abled will be deprived of the same.”

A separate toilet could have been built for the transgenders and not infrlnge upon the rights of challenged persons, he said.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, K Ramamurthy, Divisional Controller (Urban), KSRTC, said, ‘It was the initiative of the Zilla Panchayat, following a requisition in this regard from the representatives of the transgender community. The city bus stand was the ideal place, as most of the transgenders prefer public mode of transport. They have been cautioned against creating public nuisance, or else the facility will be withdrawn,” Ramamurthy said.
The toilets are complete with urinals, a western commode, a mirror and wash basin, without levying any usage charge.