Transgenders stake their claim to a dignified life

BENGALURU: When Suma, a 26-year-old transgender broke all shackles to chase her dream of entering college last year, she became an idol for thousands of transgenders in the city. The grit and courage she displayed in overcoming colossal odds in the pursuit of her dream is sure to serve as an inspiration to many.Today, Suma is a student at St.Joseph's college, where she is studying BA in journalism, political science and sociology.

Rakshita, 25, is now all set to follow in the trail blazed by Suma. Rakshita, who wants to work in the judicial system, is preparing to apply for BCom at St.Joseph's College next year. While news of another transgender attempting to overcome the age-old stigma has indeed brought much cheer to the community, what remains to be seen is how many colleges in the state will now open their doors to transgenders.

Insulted by a judge, Poojita, 39, quit her legal practise

Through five years at a college in Mangaluru, Poojita endured taunts and humiliation all to ensure that her dream of becoming a lawyer, and fight for the rights and liberties of marginalised individuals such as herself, could be realised.

“I was determined not to give up. I got my LLB degree from SDM College, Mangaluru in 2004. I don't want to recall the years of torture that I put myself through there. My peers would stand near the building railing and start yelling `Chakka, chakka', the minute they saw me coming,“ she said.

However, she did not allow all those insults to break her and subsequently got herself registered in the Karnataka Bar Council. “I practised at Mudigere. My will crumbled when I was bullied by the judge himself,“ Poojita said.

“In front of my clients, he asked me how I was going to argue the case when I sounded like a girl. That day, I decided I would never return to the court because the judge himself saw me as a joke. I have since been running from pillar to post to get a job. However, despite having experience in the court, I cannot find a single person who will offer me a decent job,“ she added.

After dropping out, Rakshita now looks to continue her education

Slighted by professors and fellow students alike, Rakshita was forced to drop out from Basaveshwara College, where she was pursuing BA in history, economics and political science.

“I dropped out in my second year since the college administration was indifferent to me. My teachers focussed more on my appearance than my performance. They used to ask me why I wore a lip balm or nail polish. They were worried about how my body language was that of a girl. Students too found great joy in bullying me. I applied to many colleges in the city including government institutions, but none accepted. I am now preparing to apply to B.Com degree at St.Joseph's next year,“ Rakshita said. Rakshita also worked at a KSRTC booking counter in Basaveshwarnagar three years ago, only to quit after she was discriminated against there as well.

Arundhati, 28, is seeking financial aid to complete nursing course

Looking to become the first transgender nurse, Arundhati has been struggling to find financial support to get through college. “I completed my general nursing midwifery course from Karnataka College of Nursing, when I looked like a boy. After completing my education, I went for my sex reassignment surgery (SRS). I want to study further, but I cannot afford the fee for the two-year course. I need one and a half lakh to get admission and have been looking for financial assistance, but to no avail,“ she said.

Transgender policy in Karnataka

The draft of the state policy for transgenders in 2014 was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the community. Two years hence, the policy is yet to be enacted and the transgenders attribute it to the government's lack of will.

The policy, apart from aiming to provide protection from harassment and abuse, also aims to provide assistance to the community in key areas such as health, education, employment and housing. It also states that all state government departments are supposed to include development of transgender community in their schemes.

The policy advises dropping the term, `third gender' in favour of transgenders. Jogappas, hijras, female to male transgenders, male to female transgenders, intersex individuals, kothis, jogtas, shivshakthis and aravanis fall under the purview of the policy.The chief objective of the policy is to integrate the transgender community in the society.

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