Thiruvananthapuram: P.C. George, MLA, allegedly asked Transgender Cell project officer Syama S. Prabha, a transwoman, whether she was a man dressed up as a woman. He had met her on Legislative Assembly premises. Syama now plans to file a complaint against the legislator, as she says it violated NALSA judgment. “I felt insulted when he asked if I were not a man dressed up as a woman. He also said that my moustache was visible. This came from a legislator, elected to speak up for people’s rights. Moreover, this was on the legislative assembly complex, where our rights should have been protected. When a person like him disregards a member of a gender minority community, imagine how common people would behave towards us,” says Syama.
When DC asked Mr George about it, he said he did not know that this person was indeed a transgender person. “I thought it was a fancy dress. I had apologised to them, and they seemed satisfied with my apology,” he said. However, Syama says that she had immediately pointed out to the MLA that he was wrong, and she felt insulted. According to her, he did not give a clear reply.
“He quickly vanished from the place citing a busy schedule,” she said.
Mr George also told DC he was not even aware that a cell called transgender cell operated at the social justice department. He even said that he had no clarity on the concept of what a transgender person was, and was ready to apologise to Syama anywhere. However, LGBTQIA+ activists say that they will not take this incident lightly. LGBTQIA+ community-based organisation Queerythm founder Prijith P. K., in a press statement, appealed to the Speaker to hold an awareness class for all legislators on the state transgender policy. He said that the incident proves how the Poonjar MLA is not just ill-equipped but is also unwilling to work for the rights and benefits of transgender persons in his constituency.
