Transgenders in Chennai launch their own marriage website

By Channel NewsAsia’s India Correspondent Damanjeet Kohli

NEW DELHI : Transgenders in India’s Chennai city have launched their own marriage website through which they hope to find like-minded suitors.

One can often see them dancing at weddings or at the blessing ceremonies of newborn babies.

They appear uninvited to seek money. And it is not easy to turn them away without paying a hefty sum.

Commonly referred to as ‘hijras’, the transsexuals in India are looked at with widespread superstition.

They are accorded a certain amount of respect because many fear that if they are not appeased, their curse can bring bad luck and infertility.

Transsexuals have a very low status in the society. They have no rights over land, no political representation and no other way to earn a living but to beg, perform at ceremonies or get into prostitution.

Kalki Subramaniam, founder, www.thirunangai.net, said: “There are many problems (the) transsexual community (and) the transgender people (face). One of the main problems is discrimination. And housing, employment, education – everything is a problem for them.”

Marriage is another problem.

They find it difficult to settle down because of their gender identity.

But not to be deterred, a group of transsexuals in Chennai city has launched a matrimonial website.

Transsexuals living in the city can upload their profiles on www.thirunangai.net and meet prospective suitors.

Within a month of the launch of the website, marriage proposals have started pouring in.

Kalki Subramaniam said: “Our website is an initiative; it is a hope that we are all women and we should have the right to marry. We can have a family, we can have a husband and we can have adopted children. And we are sick and tired of this exploitation.”

The matrimonial website is one of the many small initiatives being taken to integrate transsexuals into mainstream society.

The Tamil Nadu government has started recognising them as individuals.

They are issued government ration cards with a third gender status and can apply for a passport and a driver’s license.

And while the discrimination has not reduced, the recent decriminalisation of homosexuality in India has brought some cheer for transsexuals as well.

Often harassed by police under article 377, they hope the violence against them would reduce with the amendment of the law. – CNA/ms

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