Sexual minorities still struggling in Bangalore

Lives of sexual minorities aren’t any better than they were when rights movements began in the city.

While a few communities like hijras and kothis have managed to get visibility and some form of acceptance, female-to-male transgenders are yet to get there, members of the community said. They recently launched a year-long project under the name Samara Lesbian, Bisexual Women and female-to-male Transgenders.

Funds for projects are diminishing but at the same time, the dependence on NGOs for jobs and support is strong. This has led to insecurity about the future. “They are still deprived of housing, education.

There is also fear of NGOs closing down, partners leaving, unemployment. There is need to understand our strengths and think of long-terms strategies to overcome these,” said Manohar Elavarthi of Sangama.

He added that while women and Dalits are beginning to see results after years of struggle for equality, female-to-male transgenders are yet to receive recognition.

Elavarthi noted that the number of people who were leaving their families and towns and migrating to Bangalore is on the rise. The city’s NGOs have provided a safer environment but this has increased dependence.

The lesson comes from a quarter century of the women’s rights movement, which demanded acknowledgement and laws from the government, besides demanding that media be sensitised.

“That was a mistake. There is no need to put so much energy into that. Instead let us strengthen our voices. Think hard about how to proceed,” said Shakun from Vimochana.

One way to tackle poor awareness about female-born sexual minorities would be to prepare a report on the community and also place their demands in them, suggested activist Arvind Narrain.

‘B’lore is safer’
Sujatha Jaberi, who identifies herself as a female-born bisexual, had to leave home in Mumbai and seek refuge in Bangalore. “I knew of the many groups working here. I arrived here looking for moral support,” she said.

“I was treated very badly by my family. They tried to marry me off forcibly. I had no choice but to flee.”

For Usha Kiran, a physically challenged female-born transgender, moving to Bangalore from Chikkaballapur was the only choice.
The disability only makes it harder for her to find a job, though. Female-born transgenders are worse off than other sexual minorities, she said.

Bharathi, a lesbian, was close to suicide after she left her husband who she was forced to marry. NGOs in the city came to her rescue.