The government is set to take a census of the people belonging to gender minorities in the state. Addressing the first state convention of gender minorities, Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said: “Within 30 days, I will call a meeting of district heads and direct them to begin taking a census of the people belonging to this community in each district”.
Gowda said a day will soon come when the society does not treat gender minorities as outcasts, adding: “It is the government’s job to look after the people of the state—everyone is included in this. If gender minorities are treated as outcasts and face discrimination, the government should be ashamed because it is a failure on our part.”
The chief minister asked members of the community to enroll in skill development courses. He hoped that in a few years, the gender minority community will be able to live without being discriminated against.
Akkai Padmashali of Sangama, an organization working for those who are oppressed due to their sexual preference, said: “Three years ago, a number of promises were made by the then chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, with regard to providing us ration cards, pension, etc; but the promises remained on the paper. We hope this time, the government will fulfill its promises.”
“We are human beings, but every basic right that is accorded to other humans is denied to us because we are different,” said Nayana, a male-to-female transgender.
“I have faced a lot of humiliation whenever I tried to get a job. When people find that you are a transgender, they make fun of you and there is sexual harassment too,” she said.
