Discriminating transgender (Nupi Manbi) by all decried
'Media needs to highlight the issues and problems associated with transgender (Nupi Manbi)'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 25 2012:
The stigma and discrimination which is being meted out to the transgender (Nupi Manbi) right from the family itself and later followed by the general public should be ended under all circumstances; only then the transgender (Nupi Manbi) can come out in public and express their feelings and sentiments.
This was highlighted by a transgender (Nupi Manbi) during an interaction programme with the media organized by Solidarity and Action Against HIV Infection in India (SAATHI) and All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMANA) at Hotel Nirmala here today.
Interacting with the media on various problems they faced and the need for intervention of media to highlight their issues, they informed that transgender (Nupi Manbi) cannot be just developed according to one's desire.
They are born with certain inclinations and no one can be blamed for that.
Under such circumstances, it will be very wrong on the part of the parents to discriminate their children, who are transgender (Nupi Manbi) .
They also pointed out that the reason why this section of the community are reluctant to come out openly in public is because of the fear of being discriminated and at the same time physically harassed at times.
It is also very wrong to associate the transgender (Nupi Manbi) with HIV and AIDS.
With such attitudes of the public the transgender (Nupi Manbi) tend to follow the wrong path.
They shy away to come out in public and tell their untold stories of stigma and discrimination and all sorts of physical harassment meted out to them by certain individuals and groups.
There are also instances in which transgender (Nupi Manbi) are forced to drop out from school on grounds following stigma and discrimination, they added.
The function was attended by Sailesh Kumar Chaurasia, Project Director, MACS and Santa, Secretary of AMANA as Chief Guest and President respectively.
Chief Editor of ISTV, Rupachandra Yumnam, Associate Director of SAATHI, Paramita Bannerjee and President of All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) were Guests of Honour.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Sailesh Kumar Chaurasia said that the issues of the transgender (Nupi Manbi) should be brought up, highlighted and make them come out and mingle with the so called 'normal people' .
Rupachandra Yumnam said that the media should also understand the issues and problems associated with transgender (Nupi Manbi).
Media should understand as to why they are born differently.
They should try and understand their feelings, wants and desires.
"Through the stories the transgender (Nupi Manbi) tell, we should let the world know that they are also part of the society and like us they are also playing a great role in the fight against HIV and AIDS", he said.
Questioning why the normal people are unwilling to accept people with different sex orientation, Rupachandra noted that this act of discrimination of the so called "normal people" is a great hindrance in the fight against HIV and AIDS.