Transgenders straining to break social shackles
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2014 : They may have masculinity inferiority but trans-gender community of manipur are confident that with their cerebral prowess they too could carve out a respectable livelihood and prove the so-cietal misconception wrong.

unfazed by the recent Supreme Court ruling that criminalises homosexuality, the trans-gender community of Manipur are equally determined to uphold American philosopher and gender theorist Judith Butler's propaga- tion that gender and sex are actually manifestations created socially and culturally.

Firmly believing in Judith's theory that 'gender itself does not create the performance but it is the performance that creates gender' as reflected in her work 'Gender Trouble - Femi-nism and the Subversion of Identity (1990)', some of the trans-gender community whom the Sangai Express reached out opined that decree of the apex court might be due to pressure from social and religious groups.

Accepting that the Manipur trans-gender community have been taken aback with the December 11, 2013 ruling, one Ngangom Eliza (Abomcha) expressed that the Supreme Court ruling will only make some anti-social elements audacious and attack the trans- genders.

Transgenders straining to break social shackles

Narrating a personal experience Eliza said some police personnel tried to misbehave while returning home with a friend some time back.

Even as the rogue police personnel tried to pull Eliza into a dark alley, an auto mo-bile passing back happened to flash the light thus giving Eliza and the friend to escape unscathed.

Regarding early childhood, Eliza who runs 'Chaoba and Eliza Beauty Parlour' in Paona Bazar said fascination with femininity and mingling with girls during school days often resulted in enduring embarrassing situation eventually leading to dropping out from school and running away from home.

Fearing reprisal from family members for ceasing aca- demic pursuit, Eliza left homely comfort and decided to become a beautician which turned out to be a successful venture as the preferred profession has crossed the decade mark.

Conveying personal interest in providing shelter and helping people facing similar problems, Eliza confided about future plan to open a comfortable facility for the down-trodden, unfortunate children and the aged as a contribution towards the society.

While Sundar Khaidem, an assistant in the same parlour, and who bagged the 2nd runner-up title at the recently held Trans Queen North East India Contest 2013 also re- counted similar experiences like taunting and social discrimination as commonly endured by the transgenders in Manipur, All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association secretary Shanta Khurai opined that Section 377 Indian Penal Code under which the Supreme Court criminalises homosexuality is biased and unfair.

Informing that the Association was formed in 2008 with the objective of issues confronted by the transgenders, further opined that the society being one big human family transgenders should not tolerate being mocked or ridiculed.

Stressing on education, Shanta said education is an essential component for the trans-gender community to be aware about their rights.

According to Laishram Beoncy, an MBBS student and winner of the Trans Queen NE India Contest, suggested that trans-gender community remain united and ensure that human quality of dignity should never be compromised.

While most transgenders in Manipur either work in beauty parlours or are make-up artistes it is also said that their number has been steadily increasing in the professions of medicine and law, as well as in the field of music and craftsmanship.