Transgenders from Parivarthan Cast their Vote at Milagres Centre, Demand Facilities
Mangaluru: The members of Parivarthan Charitable Trust cast their vote at the Milagres Higher Primary School, Milagres here on November 12.
10 transgenders arrived at 11:00 am to the polling centre at Milagres to cast their votes.
One of the transgenders who is a handicap was taken by car till the polling centre to cast the vote.
After casting their votes, speaking to the mediapersons PCT office-bearer Priya said, “This is the third time within two years we are casting our votes. When there is an election, politicians come to us and ask for votes but so far we did not get any facilities or benefits from the government. We want to give up sex work and begging and live a normal life in society but the government is not supporting us.”
Priya further said, “The founder of our trust is trying to provide us with housing from the past three years but has failed since the government officials or the politicians are not supporting the cause. Unlike women or men we are also human beings and should be treated the same way. We request the concerned authorities and the politicians to provide us with the facilities and jobs to lead a normal life”.
Another Office bearer Rekha said, “People see us in a different way. We are also human beings. We request all to treat us also like humans. The government until not now has not provided us with housing facilities, if it is not possible to provide us with housing facilities in Mangaluru let them provide us with housing in our home town and help us.”
PCT Member Gangamma said, “I have no other choice but to beg to pay my house rent of Rs 6000 per month. I am a specially-abled person and cannot go for begging. The government so far has not provided me with any facilities. I received a wheelchair through our trust on March 12, 2019. The government should help me and also all the other transgenders so that we can lead our life with dignity.”
PCT Member Bhavani said, “The government is providing facilities to the poor whether they are men or women. Why are we not being considered by the government to receive any facilities, are we not human beings? It is not our fault that we are transgenders, God has created us as transgenders and the society should accept us. Some transgenders commit a crime but the society blaming all the transgenders. If a transgender commits a crime, let the police take action against the one involved, the law is equal to everyone. Blaming the whole transgender community is not right, men or women also commit crimes but not all men or all women are blamed. People should think that we too are like their brothers or sisters and help us.”