Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Representational Image by The Collegian - Fresno State

Two major campuses in Kolkata which have been the center of multiple students’ movements over the past few months, have also stepped into the LGBTQ arena (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer). They are now seeking to provide a keen insight into the challenges, obstacles, and rights of the LGBTQ community in India.

A three-day long gender fair was organized by the socio-cultural forum Ispat of Presidency University. The fair was primarily held to throw light on the issues of the LGBTQ community in terms of healthcare, jobs search and personal hygiene.

Alokaparna Mukherjee, a postgraduate student and the secretary of Ispat quoted, “the members of the LGBTQ community are more visible on our campuses now more than ever but they still remain a gender-identity minority. The primary objective of our gender mela was to develop a more liberal and inclusive atmosphere for them inside the campus.”

The three-day fair included the screening of the documentary, a street play and a panel discussion focused on the health issues faced by members of the LGBTQ community. The street play and other cultural programmes were put up by members of several transgender groups.  

“The issues of a vast section which belongs to the LGBTQ community are missing from the common discourse today. For example, several campuses in the city do not have a gender neutral toilet. If such a basic issue is not addressed it will be very difficult to attract more transgenders and other members of the community to mainstream educational institutions,” added Mukherjee.

On the other hand, Jadavpur University held the screening of a documentary on the issue in line with a panel discussion later on. The discussion highlighted how members of the transgender community are victims of a ‘social boycott’ even at hospitals and clinics.

The documentary, called ‘Beyond Blue and Pink,’ was a 50-minute take on the health-related issues of the people identifying as transgender. The screening was concluded with a panel discussion including doctors, professors and members of the transgender community.

Assistant General Secretary of the Arts’ Faculty Students’ Union of Jadavpur University, Ushashi Pal added, “Even if they have common cold or fever they hesitate in visiting clinics or government hospitals where they are made to feel like outsiders and inferiors. Homosexuality or belonging to the transgender community is stigmatized. Our motive is to create more awareness.”

By malika

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