THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court recognises transgenders as a third gender but the Malayali psyche is yet to accept this. In an attempt to bring acceptance, the project ‘Fly and Shop’ will be launched in Kollam under the aegis of Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) and organised by a Kollam based community based organisation (CBO) Love Land Art Society (LLAS).
On August 13, transgenders will use every mode of transport and travel along with other genders to establish a comfort level, explained KSACS joint director Targeted Intervention Dennis Joseph.“This attempt is the first of its kind in the state. Kerala is far behind the other states in acknowledging the third gender,” the official said. The journey will be flagged off at Kollam on August 13. Kollam District Collector A Kowshigan will attend the function. LLAS Suraksha project manager Bejoy M V said that it was one of transgenders’ yearnings that they can commute in buses, trains, planes without facing judgmental eyes.
“As a part of the drive, they will start off from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram Airport in a KSRTC bus. Then they will travel to Nedumbassery International Airport, Kochi by plave where a boat trip awaits them. And their return journey to Kollam will be by train,” Bejoy explained. The official said that they were also planning to visit Lulu Mall in Kochi.
“The authorities have given consent for bus and train journeys. The trangenders will undergo security checks duting flight journeys to avoid confusion as transgenders will be dressed in female garb with identity cards showing gender as male.
The airport authorities said that necessary documents would have to be provided,” he said. A transgender on condition of anonymity said society should acknowledge them. “We too need live freely as others. That is the sole aim of the journey,” the transgender said.