Hyderabad: In a groundbreaking event, women in the sex trade, transgender persons, and men engaged in commercial sex work attended a pre-Christmas celebration here on Friday.
Several attendees spoke of the need for platforms where they can share their ideas and be accepted in society.
Others in the audience were gays and trans women. The festivities featured worship services and communion for believers and carols and had Santa distributing gifts. Sister Joy Cherian spoke at the event.
The event, organised by "I Need Help," an organisation dedicated to assisting the marginalised for two decades, was founded by Jacob Chinnappa. He said that people often find themselves in sex work due to unavoidable circumstances and face societal exclusion.
Sister Joy Cherian, from the United Peoples Fellowship, noted that a transgender person named Nissi had dedicated her life to ministry during the event. Cherian highlighted the challenges faced by many attendees and stressed the importance of society displaying love and concern for the marginalised. She urged for an end to discrimination, stating that the message of Christ focused on love and encouraging everyone to "love one another."
