AMANA flays ill-treatment of transgender teacher
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 16 2022: All Manipur Nupi Maanbi Association (AMANA) member Daya Taorem has condemned alleged inhuman treatment of educated and qualified transgenders, stating that it is an attack on their productivity and efficiency.

Narrating his ordeal to newspersons at Manipur Press Club, here on Wednesday, Daya recounted that after completing Masters in Literature in 2019, he qualified for NET as well and officially joined a reputed school based in Canchipur in August the same year.

At the time of joining, he declared the transgender status to the school authority, who welcomed and assured him of ensuring a transgender friendly environment.

Daya then went on to teach at the school for around 3 months and established a strong rapport with the students.

However, on November 14, after his class ended, the school headmaster summoned him to his office in Room No 8.When he arrived at the office, the headmaster was unprofessional and began lecturing him not to interact or be physically close with the female colleagues as it was upsetting to look at.

He also barred him from using the female washroom and instead, strongly insisted for him to use the male washroom from next day onwards.

Further recalling the verbal comments made by the school principal including chiding him for not putting on make-up or wearing clothes (innaphi) not to the principal's taste; Daya said that he initially did not take the comments seriously as they were not related to the teaching profession.

However, the principal's transphobic attitude and the continuous attacks on what he was wearing, his way of speaking and physical attributes have been demoralising.

Stating that such unjustified attack on gender identity is disrespecting the handiwork, knowledge capacity and talent of the transgender community, Daya said that such transphobic behaviour in a place of learning, taking the form of workplace harassment is basically blocking off the path for transgender teachers or transgender individuals planning to venture into the teaching profession.

Further remarking that there could be many other highly qualified transgenders who might have face similar experiences, he attributed the low presence of transgender in scholarly profession due to such trans-hatred and transphobic attitudes.

AMANA secretary Santa Khurai was also present during the press conference.

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