Apna Naam: Empowering trans people through identity
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Baha Homsala, a transwoman from the Indian state of Jharkhand, aspires to be a dancer.
Gaurav Menghani
“Fear. That’s how I felt when I realised I was different. I didn’t see anyone around me who was like me. When my mannerisms betrayed my innate identity, my ridicule began. I was locked in a room and asked to live my life in that space,” says Baha Homsala, a transgender woman.
The fear of ridicule, stigma and discrimination associated with being non-binary continues to haunt millions of LGBTQI+ people around the world. Many are forced to live double lives, which has a devastating effect on their mental health. According to the UNDP’s Human Development Report, around 75 per cent of young LGBTQI+ people worldwide have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and around 62 per cent have major depressive disorders.
The situation is made worse when minority status overlaps, such as when an LGBTQI+ person identifies as an ethnic minority. For Baha, who comes from a tribal community in Bihar, the effects of discrimination become compounded, eventually forcing her to flee home. Millions of people like Baha around the world face hateful reactions at home and outside, causing them to drop out of school, lose jobs, become homeless, and avoid healthcare.
Transperson at Garima Griha, run by CBO DOSTANASAFAR in Bihar. (Garima Griha means House of Pride in Hindi). Such shelter homes are being set up by community-based organizations with support from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Those who find the courage to embrace their true identity often begin to shed their deadname, the birth name they no longer use. Without an identity card, they struggle to find a job, rent a home, or access healthcare.
Community members share a meal at Garima Griha, run by DostanaSafar
The transgender community is at high risk for HIV, with approximately 13 times more likely to be HIV positive than other adults of reproductive age. A critical component of managing AIDS is antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is provided free of cost by the Government of India, but requires a valid identity card to avail of it.
HIV prevalence among transgender persons is higher than in the general population
This necessitates targeted programmes to address the vulnerabilities of transgender people. The UNDP-led SCALE initiative strengthens efforts to address discriminatory laws and HIV-related criminalisation, opening up access to services worldwide.
Under SCALE, UNDP India, in collaboration with community-based organisations such as DostanaSafar, helps the transgender community obtain valid identity cards. The project involves enrolling trans persons in the National Portal for Transgender Persons, run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The portal facilitates the issuance of transgender identity cards through district authorities.
After successful enrolment, a trans person receives a transgender identity card, which can be used to update documents such as bank accounts and PAN cards with the person’s new name. Additionally, the ministry provides assistance through the SMILE scheme. Support to Marginalised Individuals and Livelihood Enterprise (SMILE) focuses extensively on rehabilitation, medical facilities, counselling, education and skill development for the transgender community. “The transgender identity card will help transgender people access healthcare, get ration cards to receive subsidised grains under the public distribution system, open bank accounts, get driving licences – a long series of documents that open up opportunities for them.
But most importantly, it helps them get what they want most – an identity,” said Reshma Prasad, founder of DOSTANASAFAR. Reshma Prasad runs community-based organisation DostanaSafar. Despite the availability of the portal, registration is low, with only 20,000 TG certificates and ID cards issued so far, which is a mere 5 per cent of the approximately 400,000 transgender community in India (Census of India, 2011). There are still huge gaps in awareness and access. UNDP works closely with the government and grassroots organisations to ensure that as many trans people as possible register on the portal and receive their ID cards. We are working to improve the visibility of the SMILE scheme and dispel any misinformation.
“Some members of the community are hesitant to register and obtain a trans ID card for fear of further stigma and exclusion in society,” said a community member who did not wish to be named. For Baha and many like her, the trans ID card with her new name represents a new beginning of life – a life of dignity and equality. At UNDP, the principle of leaving no one behind, along with the promise to end discrimination and exclusion, is embedded in our efforts to support India in protecting the rights of trans people and promoting their social inclusion.
Courtesy: Hindi News