THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Gender is a wide concept and society has no role in attributing gender to individuals, noted gender activist and writer A Revathi has said, stressing on the need to identify the third gender as human beings.
She was in the city to attend a one-day national seminar on ‘Transgender Identities: Meanings, Scope and Interpretation in the Present Literary Scenario’ jointly organised by the Directorate of Collegiate Education and University College Department of English the other day.
Referring to issues faced by transgenders, Revathi said even though there was a respite from the judiciary, it does not include every gender minority. “Though the court issued a ruling giving third gender status to this community, it excludes gender minorities like MTF (Male to female) and FTM (female to male).
Transgenders have begged for acceptance all this while and now they seek education facilities. Even the fundamental right to education is denied to these people,” said Revathi, adding that she faced humiliation and opposition even from her own family.
According to her, problems faced by transgenders are not discussed at all and they suffer the most. As part of her research, she had talked to four such individuals in Kerala and out of this two committed suicide later.
“Exploitative sexual relationships and forced marriages make their life difficult. Unless they undergo a surgery they won’t be able to live a normal life,” said Revathi. She also criticised some NGOs which make profit in the name of protecting transgenders.
An invited lecture by Civic Chandran saw him talking about the sensibility of Kerala and how man-woman relationships are viewed with suspicion here.
“Cultural fascism has become a reality and it is high time that we come out of this dangerous state. The recent ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign is an eye opener in such a situation,” he said. The seminar also had a photo documentary presentation - ‘Hijada’ by photojournalist P Abhijith.