Left alone: Just 2% of trans people stay with parents

NEW DELHI: About 92% of transgenders are deprived of the right to participate in any form of economic activity in the country, with even qualified ones refused jobs, compelling them to either beg or choose sex work, the first-ever study on the rights of transgenders by National Human Rights Commission has found.

Transgenders live with a sense of isolation within households, communities and institutions amid rampant discrimination, the study, conducted by Kerala Development Society on behalf of NHRC, said.

It added that transgenders faced an identity crisis in a “gender-specific India”, where everything had a gender identification, including public utilities like toilets, security check at airports, ration cards, PAN cards, driving licences etc.

The study said over 57% transgenders desired to get a sex-realignment surgery, but they could not afford it. “They are totally invisible in all spheres of economic activities. Low level of education and social exclusion limits their employment and livelihood opportunities,” the study said.

The NHRC said discrimination against transgenders began from childhood. “Parents do not play a proactive role for transgender children. Instead, they suffer verbal and corporal abuses at the hands of their parents, siblings and other family members. Most of them keep their identities as transgender secret till it is impossible for them to hide it forever. Most parents consider their status as physical and mental defects,” it said, adding that transgenders did not enjoy any legal right in property inheritance.

Only 2% of transgenders stay with their parents. On their education, NHRC said 52% were harassed by classmates and 15% by teachers, a reason why they didn’t continue studies. On access to justice, the study said they were harassed by police and hence did not approach the cops. “There are cases of gang-rape of transgender people but they can’t approach a police station fearing harassment. Some of them reported that they try to present themselves as male to avoid rapes,” it said.

The NHRC said there was no legal support for transgenders entering into marriage and setting up home. They were often denied accommodation.

The researchers cited a case where a young filmmaker in Mumbaiwas asked to vacate a flat because she was a transgender.

Another transgender working with a call centre in Delhi, was asked to quit despite being efficient at work.

The NHRC said the government had failed to implement Supreme Court guidelines or bring laws to improve the lives of transgenders. “There is also no clarity on OBC status of transgenders,” it added.

Tamil Nadu is the only state which has taken some steps by providing them education, identity cards and subsidised food and free housing.