Withdraw Bill, give us equal rights, demand transgenders

Grace Banu, founder and director of Trans Rights Now Collective, said that she felt that the occasion was ideal to raise their voice against the regressive Trans Bill 2016, which was introduced in August 2016. 

She said, “The bill denies the basic rights of transgenders and criminalises the community. It is completely against the Supreme Court’s judgment in 2014 that recognised the fundamental rights of the community.”

The Bill went against the community’s rights to identify itself with the third gender and placed emphasis on the biological test to establish their identity. Banu added that it also doesn’t offer opportunities for the education and employment of the community. “It doesn’t take into account the rights for gender non-conforming children,” said Banu.

Sahodaran, an LGBT NGO held a candle light vigil, remembering the transgenders who have lost their lives due to the apathy and hostility meted out to them. AJ Hariharan of the Indian Community Welfare Organisation, who has been working closely with the LGBT community, said that it was high time the community came together to fight for its causes. 

“They have found a voice and are coming out in the open to demand for their rights. They should spearhead the causes on one platform. Their voices will be heard for sure,” he said. Banu added that the movement against the Bill will continue to gather momentum till its withdrawn.