Transgender woman spreads AIDS awareness

CHANDIGARH: For the first time, Chandigarh State Aids Control Society (CSACS) has taken a trasngender worker on board to help them in a project that concerns transgenders.

“We are now being recognized by others as they see us as normal people. Though it will take some more time to change the mindset of the majority, the scraping of Section 377 has started showing its affects,” said Rubina, a transgender working with the CSACS as a counsellor.

There are 153 such transgenders in the city as recorded under the project of CSACS. “The scrapping of the section is benefiting the transgenders as most of them are seeking admission in universities and colleges. They are disclosing their gender by marking against the third option — others,” said Sandeep Mittal, deputy director, target interventions, CSACS.

Rubina draws a regular salary under the project and goes to the PGI to counsel her community about HIV tests. “Soon after the decriminalization of Section 377, I was selected for this project. I got many queries after getting this job as my friends wanted to enhance their education and get a job like I have,” said Rubina.

The high risk group for HIV include female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgenders and injecting drug users. For the overall reduction in HIV, the experts aim to effect behavioural patterns through raising awareness among the high risk groups. According to the CSACS data for the year 2018 until September, 442 were found to be positive.

“Also, we see that transgenders are also changing their views about society now. They do not allow anyone to enter their ‘dera’ unless prior approval is taken from the ‘dera’ head. But now there is some flexibility in this,” said Tapan Singh who is working in the transgender project with CSACS.