Chennai: Transgenders in the city have designed a thematic calendar for 2014 to raise funds for educating HIV kids. Members of BWSWT (Born to Win Social Welfare Trust) have consulted experts, sociologists and designers to produce this New Year calendar. This calendar with colourful photos of successful transgenders in various streams will be sold for Rs 350.
For instance, transgender Priya Babu, initially ridiculed and rejected by society, has emerged as a renowned writer, bagged awards and even penned a book on transgenders of South India for a UN project. She will be found on the May month page. Transgender Noori, who runs a free home for several abandoned children in Chennai, will be on the January page.
BWSWT founder Swetha said all the pages in the calendar would have quotes and messages from Thirukkural and other Tamil literary works concerning transgenders. “We want to educate the masses that transgender sex has long been part of our society, just like relationships between men and women. We are not a different tribe, not aliens. This calendar will be the right tool to spread this message to scores of people throughout the year”, Swetha said.
BWSWT secretary Ramba said portraits of 12 transgenders who had received awards during the Transgenders Day (April 15) this year would decorate the calendar.
“Apart from writer Priya Babu, the calendar will feature classical dancer Ponni, entrepreneur Ishwariya and several such successful transgenders. It will showcase their struggle who emerged as shining examples of victory against discrimination. They are leading dignified lives despite tough tragedies,” she said.
