International Day of Transgender Visbility- Born to be Free
Today, March 31st is International Day of Transgender Visibility. The role of organizations in creating a free environment for the transgender community has been explored.
What do you feel when you see a photo of the transgender community? The smiling faces hide a saga of isolation, indifference to hatred and an existence which is used to being downtrodden. We race against time to lead apparently ‘stressed’ lives but we are blessed in a way that the transgender community cannot dream of.
The Supreme Court of India legalized the recognition of the transgender community as the third gender in 2014. However, the road is less traveled when it comes to issues of bias, bullying and injustice at workplaces. Thus, the will to survive weakens against these issues and instead of progress, we see unfulfilled dreams end in the ‘land of the forgotten.’
Job interviews are the first hurdle. Employers are faced with a ‘conflict of interest’ mindset when they come across ‘trans’ candidates. The application form often has a legal name of the trans individual but the appearance of the trans individual does not match their expectations and the interview session comes to an end before other criteria are considered in a majority of cases. Section 377 is a factor as organizations fear legal hassle. However, organizations should include transgender individuals in the mainstream job sector as it is clear that sexual orientation or gender expression is not a crime.
The washroom is a red flag of despair for the trans community. Imagine working in an organization where you force yourself to avoid using the restroom. Hormone therapy and transition phases are real issues. Trans individuals have avoided drinking water as washrooms are not gender neutral in nature. The ‘disabled’ washroom provision is not a solution as it promotes trans inequality. Organizations can look at offering health insurance policies for ‘transitioning’ surgery at par with non-trans employees who have health provisions .
Sensitization of employees through coaching and training sessions will make the workplace more inclusive. Common habits of staring at trans people for longer than usual, using pronouns with ambiguity and generalization should be avoided to say the least. Ask their preference before assumptions. Jokes about sexual orientation on a regular basis can lead to depression. ‘Live and let live’ is a simple concept which can create waves when it comes to transgender inclusivity at workplace.
A harsh reality is that transgender individuals in India are not at par with the other communities. Centuries of begging on the streets and sex work is their traditional history due to lack of other options. Lack of sufficient role models from the transgender community at workspaces is another cause for concern. Vocational skill training and the development of forefront runners from this marginalized community have been intiated by many NGOs and corporates but it is a ‘two steps forward and one step back’ scenario. ‘The knowledge of oneself is the highest’ is a true revelation. Let us allow the ‘transgender’ community this freedom to explore and reinvent their lives.
By Sandra Sebastian
