Historic Moment! 41 Transgenders from Parivarthan to VOTE for the FIRST Time

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Historic Moment! 41 Transgenders from Parivarthan Trust to VOTE for the FIRST Time

Mangaluru: In a historic moment for the transgender community residing in Mangaluru and in the outskirts of the City, 41 members from Parivarthan Charitable Trust of the ‘third gender’ are all excited and waiting for the greatest moment in their lives to VOTE for the FIRST time in the forthcoming Karnataka State Assembly Election. According to DC Sasikanth Senthil during a press meet had mentioned that there is an 11% increase in the total number of voters in the district compared to 2013. There were 15,01,024 voters in 2013. In 2018 there are 17,11,848 voters in the district- and among these eligible voters are 100 transgenders who will caste their votes in the upcoming elections for the FIRST time.

And sources reveal that in the state, the recent draft electoral rolls have brought cheer to sexual minorities in Karnataka: 4,340 voters have registered as transgenders, up from 2,125 voters in the 2013 assembly elections. This is in addition to most sexual minorities who would have identified themselves as a woman or man. According to the data with the Sexual Minorities Forum, at least 50,000 transgenders are covered under HIV prevention schemes in Karnataka. Transgenders used to register themselves as ‘others’ earlier. This was replaced by ‘transgenders’ recently. Only 49 of 2,125 voters who had registered under the ‘others’ category voted in the 2013 assembly polls. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, 160 of 3,957 voters registered under ‘others’ category had voted.

These 41 transgenders got a new lease of life when Parivarthan Charitable Trust {R}- a Ray of Hope to ‘Change” the lives and make a difference in Transgenders was launched on August 30, 2016 at Zilla Panchayat Netravati Hall-Urwa by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and other dignitaries, under the strong leadership of Violet Pereira, the Founder of the Trust, and since its inception these Transgenders were able to receive their Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Health Card, Open Bank Account, and recently the Voters ID Card. And for that matter, the Transgenders express their heartfelt gratitude to the Trust, which has made a difference in their lives, and also helping them to cast their votes for the first time.

But sadly, the problems faced by the transgender people here include: they are shunned by family and society alike; They have restricted access to education, health services and public spaces; Till recently, they were excluded from effectively participating in social and cultural life; Politics and decision-making processes have been out of their reach; Transgender people have difficulty in exercising their basic civil rights; Reports of harassment, violence, denial of services, and unfair treatment against transgender persons have come to light; and Sexual activity between two persons of the same sex is criminalized, and is punishable by incarceration.

But during the past months, most of the inconveniences, hassles, problems and discrimination faced by the Transgenders in the society have been lowered due to the involvement of the Trust, where it has transformed their lives by bringing them to the mainstream. Parivarthan Charitable Trust has now given a chance to the Transgenders to raise their voices in the society, face like other human beings and mingle with rest of the community without any fear or shame. This kind of idea of starting a Trust in Mangaluru for Transgenders, has also inspired others to open such Trusts in their respective towns and states. Among all the benefits made available to the Transgenders with the help from Parivarthan Charitable Trust, the 41 ‘Third Gender’ persons who got their Voters ID Card are totally overwhelmed and excited- and desperately waiting for tomorrow to come so that they can cast their VOTE for the FIRST time in their lives- and it will be a historic moment for them.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Sanjana said, “It’s an exciting moment for us {Transgenders} as the society has acknowledged our community. Thanks to Parivarthan Charitable Trust for making it happen. This is indeed a significant moment not only for me but also to my other 40 who have been listed in the state electoral roll. I am extremely happy, since I am casting my vote tomorrow for the first time in my life, I consider my vote as a proof for the society’s recognition of the transgender society. I hope that more transgenders would come out and obtain their voter’s identity cards to exercise their voting rights in the coming elections. It is not our fault that we are like this, and we are proud we are special and different. However, the way we are treated makes us all feel sad. I am excited to cast my vote as a Transgender”.

And here is Parivarthan, a Trust which has worked for the welfare of the transgenders. A Trust aimed to bring all transgenders to the mainstream by empowering them. As witnessed, most of the transgenders who had lead their life begging or being involved in sex work, the Trust has come to the rescue of many of these Transgenders to lead a dignified life, through workshops and skill development training for them. Finally, each being in this Universe is indeed unique, and an integral part of Nature. It would thus be wrong to judge and discriminate people who may be different from the stereotype, which again is man-made. It is time that we all realize that every individual in this country has equal rights and privileges, and follow the policy of “live and let live.” Let’s treat the Transgenders equally, after all we are all God’s children created equally.

In conclusion, while it’s heartening that more transgenders are coming forward in large numbers to register themselves in electoral rolls, it’s still a long way before the entire community feels comfortable about openly declaring their gender identity. From being termed as the Others until a few years ago to be officially known as Transgenders now is a big change. While government’s measures have made things better for transgenders, a lot more needs to be done. And only when the community feels its members won’t face discrimination will they be reassured that there’s no danger in coming out. And for that matter, Parivarthan Charitable Trust will surely bring the Transgenders to the mainstream, where they too can be part of the society. Like how the Transgenders have been given all the rights in many Western countries, in a similar way India should also follow in the footsteps of these Western countries. As of today, let us not discriminate the Transgenders, instead respect and treat them just like rest of the human beings. HAPPY VOTING to all these 41 Transgenders!

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