Transgender: Meaning
:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> Meaning
Transgender is an umbrella term that incorporates differences in gender identity wherein one’s assigned biological sex doesn’t match their felt identity. This umbrella term includes persons who do not feel they fit into a dichotomous sex structure through which they are identified as male or female. Individuals in this category may feel as if they are of the wrong gender.
Transgender people are individuals whose gender identities do not pertain to their biological sex, and thus they differ from the stereotype of how men and women normally are. ‘Transgender’ does not include sexual orientation or physical sex characteristics, but is in fact a less clinical term that pertains to gender identity and gender expression. Thus transgender people encompass those people whose identity and behavior do not adhere to the stereotypical gender norms. They may be gay, transsexual, transvestite, or genderqueer.
Key features of Transgenders in India
1. Transgenders a socially diverse group
Transgender people include hijras/ kinnars (eunuchs), shiv-shaktis, jogappas, Sakhi, jogtas, Aradhis, etc. there are many who do not belong to any of the groups but are transgender persons individually. Transgenders fall under the LGBT group (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender). They constitute the marginalized section of the society in India and thus face legal, social as well
2. Socially ostracized and discriminated
The LGBTQ community faces stigma based on over a century of being characterized as mentally ill, socially deviant, and sexually predatory. Lesbians, gay men, and transgender people face ridicule from a society that does not understand them. This stigma plays out in a variety of contexts – leaving them vulnerable to family, friends, or coworkers who reject transgender people upon learning about our transgender identities; and to people who harass, bully and commit serious violence against transgender people.
3. Family stigma
Most of them live in their own communities in isolation they are usually sent away by their own families and communities. Families often deprive them of their identity and transgenders are considered a shame for the family.
The members of the family dislike transition seen in Transgenders and try to suppress the perplexing behavior, but the Transgenders make their bodies as compatible as possible with their preferred gender. In an urge to transform their anatomy and to lead the desired life, they disown their family and join the Transgender community.
4.Low education due to social stigma
Those who identify as transgender at an early age may have troubles when their identity conflicts with judgment from traditional school protocol, whether public or private. Discrimination may come from classmates who tease or physically harm transgender people they encounter Mental and physical strain through varying forms of assault by their
5. Low economic participation.
The vast majority of transgenders live in slums with limited job opportunities. Generally, most of the Transgenders are engaged in sex work and begging. Their access to the economic field limited and often restricted. As education is low they take up menial jobs.
6. Transgenders face a gender identity crisis in gender-specific societies.
Sexed and gendered dress codes and grooming policies for employers stereotype employees based on either sex or gender, leading to discrimination public toilets and other facilities are based on gender division that is only for the male and female
7. Minimal access to justice
Transgender people have difficulty in exercising their basic civil rights. They do not have legal access. Many laws in the country are against their social living Lack of legal protection denies social justice to transgender people living under existing discrimination and there is no comprehensive discrimination law that includes transgender identity. They often face hurdles while buying a home or trying to rent a home in a housing society or community
8. Barriers to healthcare
Transgenders face barriers to obtaining medically-necessary health services and encounter medical professionals who lack transgender health care competency. It was also found that many of them had been refused medical care because of bias.
9. Lack of Identity Documents
The widespread lack of accurate identity documents among transgender people can have an impact on every area of their lives, including access to housing or other public services. To be clear, without identification, one cannot travel, register for school, or access many services that are essential to function in society.
According to Census 2011, there is around 4.9 lakh transgender in the country. Transgender children wanting to study in city schools will now be able to do so free of cost.
With the inclusion, transgender children will now be eligible for 25 percent reservation under the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged students for admission into the city
Since the beginning of time and the existence of mankind, transgenders have been very much a part of society. It is just that they have been given a name and a status in society in recent times, and now there is even medical technology available especially for them.
In a landmark judgment in 2014, the Supreme Court passed the ruling that “In view of the constitutional guarantee, the transgender community is entitled to basic rights i.e. Right to Personal Liberty, dignity, Freedom of expression, Right to Education and Empowerment, Right against violence, discrimination and exploitation, and Right to work.
Moreover, every person must have the right to decide his/her gender expression and identity, including transsexuals, Transgenders, hijras should have right to freely express their gender identity and be considered as a third sex.” Thus, today the transgender people in India are considered to be the Third Gender.
The journey from Marginal to Mainstream
Within the Third Gender population, one can come across many stories of grit and determination where a transgender did not allow societal pressure to decide their fate. Here, are a few exceptional examples of transgender individuals who have written their own success stories with the help of their endowment, hard work, dedication, and perseverance:
Kalki Subramaniam: With two masters’ degrees, Kalki is a social activist and a journalist. She also made her debut as an actress in the movie Narthaki-Life of a Transgender Woman. Kali has also founded the Sahodari Foundation which supports the transgender community.
Padmini Prakash: Padmini is a trained Kathak dancer and also a vocal artist. She was awarded the title of Miss Transgender of India. Padmini acts in TV serials and is a popular face on a news channel.
MadhuBaiKinnar: Madhu was disowned by her parents and expelled from home. However, destiny had other things in store for her. She became the first citizen of Raigarh in Chattisgarh. She earns her living as a folk dance performer.
Conclusion
Each being in this Universe is indeed unique, and an integral part of Nature. It would thus be wrong to judge and discriminate against people who may be different from the stereotype, which again is man-made. It is time that India realized that every individual in this country has equal rights and privileges, and follow the policy of “live and let live.”
:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> Meaning
Transgender is an umbrella term that incorporates differences in gender identity wherein one’s assigned biological sex doesn’t match their felt identity. This umbrella term includes persons who do not feel they fit into a dichotomous sex structure through which they are identified as male or female. Individuals in this category may feel as if they are of the wrong gender.
Transgender people are individuals whose gender identities do not pertain to their biological sex, and thus they differ from the stereotype of how men and women normally are. ‘Transgender’ does not include sexual orientation or physical sex characteristics, but is in fact a less clinical term that pertains to gender identity and gender expression. Thus transgender people encompass those people whose identity and behavior do not adhere to the stereotypical gender norms. They may be gay, transsexual, transvestite, or genderqueer.
Key features of Transgenders in India
1. Transgenders a socially diverse group
Transgender people include hijras/ kinnars (eunuchs), shiv-shaktis, jogappas, Sakhi, jogtas, Aradhis, etc. there are many who do not belong to any of the groups but are transgender persons individually. Transgenders fall under the LGBT group (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender). They constitute the marginalized section of the society in India and thus face legal, social as well
2. Socially ostracized and discriminated
The LGBTQ community faces stigma based on over a century of being characterized as mentally ill, socially deviant, and sexually predatory. Lesbians, gay men, and transgender people face ridicule from a society that does not understand them. This stigma plays out in a variety of contexts – leaving them vulnerable to family, friends, or coworkers who reject transgender people upon learning about our transgender identities; and to people who harass, bully and commit serious violence against transgender people.
3. Family stigma
Most of them live in their own communities in isolation they are usually sent away by their own families and communities. Families often deprive them of their identity and transgenders are considered a shame for the family.
The members of the family dislike transition seen in Transgenders and try to suppress the perplexing behavior, but the Transgenders make their bodies as compatible as possible with their preferred gender. In an urge to transform their anatomy and to lead the desired life, they disown their family and join the Transgender community.
4.Low education due to social stigma
Those who identify as transgender at an early age may have troubles when their identity conflicts with judgment from traditional school protocol, whether public or private. Discrimination may come from classmates who tease or physically harm transgender people they encounter Mental and physical strain through varying forms of assault by their
5. Low economic participation.
The vast majority of transgenders live in slums with limited job opportunities. Generally, most of the Transgenders are engaged in sex work and begging. Their access to the economic field limited and often restricted. As education is low they take up menial jobs.
6. Transgenders face a gender identity crisis in gender-specific societies.
Sexed and gendered dress codes and grooming policies for employers stereotype employees based on either sex or gender, leading to discrimination public toilets and other facilities are based on gender division that is only for the male and female
7. Minimal access to justice
Transgender people have difficulty in exercising their basic civil rights. They do not have legal access. Many laws in the country are against their social living Lack of legal protection denies social justice to transgender people living under existing discrimination and there is no comprehensive discrimination law that includes transgender identity. They often face hurdles while buying a home or trying to rent a home in a housing society or community
8. Barriers to healthcare
Transgenders face barriers to obtaining medically-necessary health services and encounter medical professionals who lack transgender health care competency. It was also found that many of them had been refused medical care because of bias.
9. Lack of Identity Documents
The widespread lack of accurate identity documents among transgender people can have an impact on every area of their lives, including access to housing or other public services. To be clear, without identification, one cannot travel, register for school, or access many services that are essential to function in society.
According to Census 2011, there is around 4.9 lakh transgender in the country. Transgender children wanting to study in city schools will now be able to do so free of cost.
With the inclusion, transgender children will now be eligible for 25 percent reservation under the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged students for admission into the city
Since the beginning of time and the existence of mankind, transgenders have been very much a part of society. It is just that they have been given a name and a status in society in recent times, and now there is even medical technology available especially for them.
In a landmark judgment in 2014, the Supreme Court passed the ruling that “In view of the constitutional guarantee, the transgender community is entitled to basic rights i.e. Right to Personal Liberty, dignity, Freedom of expression, Right to Education and Empowerment, Right against violence, discrimination and exploitation, and Right to work.
Moreover, every person must have the right to decide his/her gender expression and identity, including transsexuals, Transgenders, hijras should have right to freely express their gender identity and be considered as a third sex.” Thus, today the transgender people in India are considered to be the Third Gender.
The journey from Marginal to Mainstream
Within the Third Gender population, one can come across many stories of grit and determination where a transgender did not allow societal pressure to decide their fate. Here, are a few exceptional examples of transgender individuals who have written their own success stories with the help of their endowment, hard work, dedication, and perseverance:
Kalki Subramaniam: With two masters’ degrees, Kalki is a social activist and a journalist. She also made her debut as an actress in the movie Narthaki-Life of a Transgender Woman. Kali has also founded the Sahodari Foundation which supports the transgender community.
Padmini Prakash: Padmini is a trained Kathak dancer and also a vocal artist. She was awarded the title of Miss Transgender of India. Padmini acts in TV serials and is a popular face on a news channel.
MadhuBaiKinnar: Madhu was disowned by her parents and expelled from home. However, destiny had other things in store for her. She became the first citizen of Raigarh in Chattisgarh. She earns her living as a folk dance performer.
Conclusion
Each being in this Universe is indeed unique, and an integral part of Nature. It would thus be wrong to judge and discriminate against people who may be different from the stereotype, which again is man-made. It is time that India realized that every individual in this country has equal rights and privileges, and follow the policy of “live and let live.”
