Until as recently as three years ago, all official applications had us humans, classified as male and female. Now, albeit in a patronising way, we recognise a third — the transgenders. But that is where it stops. We continue to be grossly callous in our attitude towards their life, work and problems and well-being, simply because we don’t try to understand or respect that they are a part of our society and have as much right to a dignified life like you and me.
Solidarity Foundation, a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation, has blazed a brave trail along a hitherto unexplored road and has succeeded in training and placing members of the transgender community in suitable posts. This was the outcome of a carefully structured soft skills and work preparedness programme. The training was conducted by Don Bosco Skill Mission and included IT literacy, Basic food and beverage service training, and data entry. The training session was tailored to suit the aptitude and ability of each trainee. They were also trained to handle conflicts and be a team worker.
Being a guide
In their drive towards inclusion and determination to resolve the unfair divide between sexual minorities and the rest of the society, the team continues to network briskly with various companies to get job offers. According to Shubha Chacko, founder of the foundation, 30 potential job offerings have already come their way from companies in Bengaluru.
While Solidarity Foundation became a registered body five years ago, its work and research began much earlier in 2008. It began with Shubha Chacko and Elavarthi Manohar conducting a pan-India study of sexual minorities and the basic human rights issues they were facing. The need of the hour was to train and equip leaders from within these communities to take up advocacy and fight for their cause.
Two years later, another study by Ashwini Sukthankar confirmed the urgency to set-up a registered body that could bring together resources and knowledge to provide proper guidance, and channelise support and funds to smaller organisations working with sex workers and sexual minorities in rural pockets.
The foundation also helps in mobilising self-help groups with the help of local activists to facilitate livelihood opportunities and work towards social and economic justice. The foundation is very active on Facebook and has a large following. Trans-men and trans-women use this platform to seek jobs. They also launched Project Vayati to bring members of the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual and Ally of the community or Asexual) communities into the mainstream by helping them find jobs. What makes this programme stand out is that the two spokespersons for this outreach are transgenders who are trained to answer any queries that people may have.
Expecting to encounter apprehension when approached by their field workers, the foundation’s team discovered that barring a few minor hiccups, the community was ready and brave to battle for their rights and learned quickly to use any opportunities that came its way. Apart from helping the communities they work with find jobs, the foundation is also involved in crisis management. This involves going to the root of the problem, teaching the victim to speak out and seek redressal.
Resolving divisions through music, dance and drama has been seen to be the most satisfying experience for different communities to come together. One such community who has benefited from the foundation’s support was the Jogappas, a transgender community from Hubballi and Dharwad. Through an interactive programme, the community was able to showcase their singing skills.
Legal and social support
When asked about the legal protections available now for sex workers, the answer was disappointing. Harassed by the public and the police, and owing to the criminalisation of their line of work, the LGBTQIA communities have lived a rough life.
The LGBTQIA are among the most marginalised groups and have been treated like criminals and have little or no legal protection let alone social acceptance. As a one tarns-woman pointed out, one of the basic challenge she faced was what she called ‘bathroom rights’. Transpersons are forced to use toilets of the sex they do not identify with. “But,” she continued, “our infrastructure is not even geared to accommodate the physically challenged and their need is greater than mine,” she quipped.
Solidarity Foundation is in the process of planning community-led and community-based interventions to boost their morale through information technology, propagate security and safe practices for a healthy and happy society.
To know more, visit www.solidarityfoundation.in.
Published 31 July 2017, 15:36 IST