‘Transgenders should be treated equally under the law’

When transgenders are brought to the hospital, doctors don’t know where to admit them – in the male or female ward. The issue of being treated as “the others” in society dominated the meeting of transgenders and cross-dressers held to make them aware of their legal rights in Thane on Friday.

When transgenders are brought to the hospital, doctors don’t know where to admit them – in the male or female ward. The issue of being treated as “the others” in society dominated the meeting of transgenders and cross-dressers held to make them aware of their legal rights in Thane on Friday.

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The meeting was a first-ever initiative of the Thane district legal services authority, along with the Thane police and NGO Astitva. The programme is an initiative of the National Legal Services Authority, which had directed the state legal services authority to hold such programmes in every district.

“The programme is aimed at creating awareness among the third gender about their legal rights,” said Lakshmi Tripathi, the founder of NGO Astitva

For most, it was a platform to air their grievances. “My fight is against the gender bias. We are seen as troublemakers, who beg,” said Gauri Sawant, who heads Sakhi Char Chaughi.

Even representatives from the legal and police fraternity discussed on what could be done for the empowerment of the transgenders. “They should be treated equally under the law…But they also need to change their attitude and be made more aware,” said GW Avsarmol, ad hoc district and sessions judge.