Colleges unite together to voice against transgender bill through postcard campaign

Many transgenders came together to voice against the ‘The Rights of Transgenders Person Bill, 2014’ which is likely to get a nod in the winter assembly session. The initiative has been taken by TISS Queer Quality, the cell of Tata Institute of Social Services (TISS) along with KC College’s Gender Issue Cell, SIES College’s Rainbow Alliance, IIT Bombay’s Saathi who are carrying out the protest in the form of a postcard campaign.

The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 was passed by the upper house Rajya Sabha on April 24, 2015, to end the discrimination faced by transgender people in India. It was introduced in the lower house Lok Sabha on 26 February 2016.

However, a lot of activists believe that the bill has loopholes and is no good for transgenders.

The bill does not state anywhere that it will give equal status to transgenders, they will get respectable jobs or they will not be looked down upon. In a way, this bill disrespects transgenders. The national team which comprises of transgender activists across the country, has already sent 20 amendments to be made in the bill to the Central Ministry and we are still waiting for their reply,” Sai Bourothu, Member, TISS Queer Quality

9,000 postcards to be sent from Mumbai

Many students are sending their personal postcards to TISS Queer Quality who will collectively send 9000 postcards to the Prime Minister's office. Many transgender-related associations will be coming together to stage a protest against the bill.

It is okay if the bill is not passed immediately but we will not entertain a bill which will disrespect transgenders,”  Sai Bourothu, Member, TISS Queer Quality.