Chennai: Transgenders, who participated in a motivational session organised by the city police, welcomed the move initiated by city police commissioner T.K. Rajendran to network the community members with city-based employers. The session on Tuesday saw participation of as many as 216 transgenders from across the city, and also turned out to be the first programme of interaction between cops and transgenders.
Dancers Narthaki Nataraj, Shobana Ramesh, and Shakthi Bhaskar, were among those who gave talks on as to how they managed to come to terms with their sexuality beside achieving success that they enjoy now.
Triplicane DCP P. Perumal also spoke. Four representatives who participated aired their grievances besides their apprehensions about workplace harassment, which they may be subjected to. The way society continues to take the community for granted and the stigma on their sexuality were also taken up during the session.
Resource persons from NGOs presented opportunities for the benefit of transgenders. The city police had also made a master list of attendees with personal particulars including residential address, contact number, educational qualification, expected job profile and remuneration.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Jaya, general manager of Sagotharan, an NGO, working for transgenders, said the state is a pioneer in the progress of third gender. “I am happy that something like this is happening to this community”, she said.
Her views were echoed by Jasmine Mathiyazhagan and Priya, a transgender who acted as Geetha in Kanchana. “We are weak when compared to the other two genders since we undergo at least four surgeries. And we are also being made to shell out more on rent. We have informed them about our expected pay package and are hoping that employers will meet them,” Priya said.
