Kerala’s draft transgender policy (2015)

ByOrinam
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TG symbol with Kerala map outline

UPDATE Nov 12, 2015: The final policy document is here.

TG symbol with Kerala map outlineThe 19-page draft State Policy for Transgenders in Kerala (2015), prepared by the state’s Department of Social Justice is available for feedback [download here] on their website.

The Policy, drafted in response to the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgement of April 2014, envisions  a helpline, crisis management centre, self-employment grants, monthly pensions for destitute transgender people,  formation of a transgender welfare board and district committees. Following NALSA, the policy adopts an inclusive definition that encompasses transgender people who identify as men, women or (non-binary) transgender, and also includes intersex people within its ambit.

The policy was drafted based on a statewide needs assessment of 4000 transgender people (99% transwomen, 63% married to women) that also estimated 25,000 transgender people in the state.

Key findings from the Kerala transgender needs assessment survey

  • 58% of transgender students drop out before completing 10th grade (24% students drop out even before completing 9th grade).
  • 51% of respondents were denied equal treatment in doctors’ clinics and hospitals
  • 89% reported being mistreated at the workplace
  • Only 11.6% held regular jobs
  • 55% had a monthly income of less than Rs. 5000
  • 28% had been sexually harasseel or raped, by partners within one year
  • 96% did not raise complaints against violence because of their gender identity
  • 76% were unable to register gender identity the way they choose in the application form for an ID card or other services.
  • 78% had not revealed their gender identity at work due to fear of discrimination
  • 57% hid their gender ldentity from the famiiy

If you have feedback on the draft policy, please post it on online in reply to this message, or send it by email to orinamwebber@gmail.com with the subject line “Kerala draft TG policy”. PS Arun, a student at Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, has volunteered to collate feedback to share with the Department of Social Justice in Kerala.

While the DSJ website does not mention a last date for receiving feedback, we would like to compile responses as soon as possible, ideally before the end of September 2015, to send DSJ by the first week of October.

Orinam.net is a bilingual website (Tamil and English) associated with the Chennai-based social-support-arts-advocacy group Orinam. The site contains information on alternate sexualities and gender identities and resources for the public, media, healthcare, educational institutions, workplaces, and family members of LGBT people. Our voices – The Orinam blog features news and views, personal stories and creative writing by Queers and allies.

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One Comment

  1. The draft has covered all aspects. This should be made into LAW immediately and implemented. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THE POLICE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS THEM Ask any Tr; you will be ashamed to be born in India.The police SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR CURRICULUM A TEACHING OF THE ARTICLES AND INCULCATE IN THEM THE NECESSITY of treating them( ARE THEY TREATING OTHERS)with sympathy.
    There should be an awareness created in the minds of all others through NGOs, clubs social institutions schools and colleges to accept them as one among us.
    Many corporates are in SOCIAL commitments they can give jobs to Tr:
    In fact our SOCIETY SHOULD HAVE OPEN HEART TO ACCEPT THEM AS ANY OTHER.
    ANY TIME ANY FAMILY CAN HAVE ONE! ONE NEVER KNOW! BEWARE NATURE HAS ITS OWN WAY OF RETALIATING1

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