THIRUVANANTHPAURAM: Writer Paul Zachariah said that sex and gender education should be instilled right from school. “During an earlier LDF period, there was an attempt to include gender issues in the syllabus but it was met with huge opposition,” Zachariah said at the first edition of ‘Queer Cultural Fest’ held at Manaveeyam Veedhi here on Sunday. “I don't think much has changed in-between,” he said.
Surya Vinod, artist and first transgender voter in the state said: “A constitutional amendment should be introduced so that gender non- confirming communities can live peacefully in India”. She said it was not the attitude of the common man but the attitude of the community members that had to undergo a drastic change.
However, Seethal Shyam, secretary Sexual Minority Forum of Kerala and the founder member of the Queer Pride Kerala, was happy about the increase of the support given to LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) community in the state.
The fest was organised by the Manaveeyam Theruvorakuttam in association with Queer Pride Keralam, and Oasis Cultural Society. It was inaugurated by Minister for Power and Devaswom Kadakampally Surendran. Transgender activists like Kalki Subramaniam, Surya Vinod, V. N. Murali, Devika, Ajay spoke over the inaugural function. The Queer Cultural Fest has adopted as its motto “Embracing oneness, Celebrating difference, Demanding Justice”.
Transgender dance, music and exhibition were conducted. Two books on transgender life, Transgender and Vimatha Lainkikatha by Resmi and Anil Kumar respectively were released during the event. The programme was also a curtain raiser of the seventh Queer Pride Event which will be conducted at Kozhikode on August 12. Queer Pride Keralam is a right- based political organisation working to support LGBT community, to address their problems and bring visibility in Kerala. The first Queer Pride festival was held in July 2010.
