The Rainbow LGBTQ+ Plus Society and Vasudha NGO organised a meeting on Monday to discuss initiatives aimed at working for the rights of the transgender community. During the meeting, the demand was raised for housing under the Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s housing schemes for the transgender community.
The gathering included transgender individuals, activists, and supporters from the city.
Transgender activist and President of Rainbow LGBTQ+ Plus Society, Trans Noor Sheikhawat, highlighted the struggles faced by transgender individuals in mainstream society. They pointed out the challenges of finding accommodation, as landlords are often reluctant to rent to transgender individuals, and families hesitate to accept them due to fear of social stigma.
Sheikhawat emphasised the need for the government and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to allocate housing under specific quotas for the transgender community. This, they argued, would enable transgender individuals to live independently and focus on education and employment rather than relying on traditional means of earning a livelihood.
Furthermore, transgender activist Floria Mathi shared the example of Chhattisgarh, where the government has reserved a certain percentage of housing projects for transgender individuals. Mona Sharma, Director of Transgender Rights Activist and Vasudha NGO, expressed the importance of recognising transgender individuals as the third gender and addressing their housing needs.
While acknowledging the legal recognition of transgender rights, Sharma urged the government to provide housing under housing schemes to uplift the transgender community. Notable attendees at the meeting included Ayush Tiwari, Priya Sharma, Shalini Mathur, Rajni Kothari, and Rakesh Sharma, among others.
