KOCHI: Every year November 20 is observed to commemorate lives lost in transphobia, trans persons who were murdered or forced to end their life amidst all the hostility. On International Transgender Day of Remembrance, Queerythm, a community- based organization for the LGBTIQ people in the city, in association with Helping Hands Organisation (H2O) and Gender Park is organising Beyond the Binary, a campaign to think beyond he or she.
“Though we talk about acceptability and visibility of the community members in academic circles there is not much change in their situation. Even today they go through a lot of physical and emotional violence,” says Prijith P K, secretary, Queerythm. The campaign has been conceived with a long-term vision to contribute to the creation of a sensitised society in which sexual minorities are guaranteed their right to live with dignity and equality. “From what we understand the community members are facing immense pressure and harassment within the families, especially when it comes to rural areas. This situation should change,” he adds. The campaign is an integral part of H2O’s Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness programme and shall see the active involvement of school going children and their respective schools (partner schools across Trivandrum, for CMCA programme). “There will be interactive sessions for students from class 6. Through this we plan to create a proper civic sense in the children and spread awareness,” he adds.
The campaign will be launched with a Walkathon from Manaveeyam to Nishagandhi at 10 am to be followed by theatrical presentations, cultural programmes, panel discussions and launching of the Helpline number of Queerythm for giving assistance to LGBTIQ community. “It’s for the first time a helpline is being launched exclusively for the community members,” he says. Akkai Padmashali, Shyama S. Prabha, Surya Abhilash, Sonu Niranjan, Chinju Ashwathi, Sreekutti and many more experts will participate in the campaign. Documentary on transgender life Memories of Trans by K B Selvamony will be screened as part of the programme.