Tamilnadu AIDS Initiative.:TAI VHS:.


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“Society Should Accept Transgenders & Contribute to Mainstream Them”
Health Secretary at the launch of ‘Manasu’ helpline.

“Till recently, there was a lot of stigma attached to transgenders. The State Government is taking efforts to mainstream them but these efforts will be successful only with support of the general public. People should realize that Tansgenders are part of society, understand them and contribute to their development”, said Principal Health Secretary Mr. V. K. Subburaj, at the launch function of TAI – VHS’s (Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative – Voluntary Health Services)Manasu phoneline
‘Manasu’ is a first of its kind initiative, in that it is directed at the general public and seeks to reach out to parents and others who are looking for information about transgenders. In a way, it is a bridge between the transgender community and society. It is an effort to mainstream this marginalized community. Inaugurating the phone service the Health Secretary said, “The State Government has taken pioneering steps like providing ration card, voters’ ID, education support and establishing a welfare board for trangenders. If there are an estimated number of 50,000 transgenders, employing them is not a problem in a state like ours. All that required is change of mindset among people and companies. This ‘Manasu’ will be a bridge to connect people with changed mindset and will also aid the process of mainstreaming.” The Healthy Secretary made the first formal call to the number ‘25 99 05 05’ and spoke to the counselor on linking up with transgenders for job openings. On the very first day of being active, Manasu was flooded with calls, with people calling in with queries about transgenders and with offers to help. The calls are documented systematically for the purpose of analysis and follow-up as required. Manasu will serve as a one point source to know about issues related to transgenders and will be a starting point for a host of services offered by TAI – VHS. One of the main services is to reach out to parents who have various misconceptions regarding transgenders and are faced with the dilemma of “owning or disowning” their son. The general public can avail guidance on understanding transgenders, while people who have a house to rent, job vacancies and are willing to accept transgenders can also call in. “Through ‘Manasu’, we hope to achieve an overall positive outcome through parents accepting such children, public understanding the issues related to the same, reduced stigma and heckling of the transgender community in public, people willing to accept them as neighbours and as tenants, companies willing to provide them employment and ultimately mainstreaming the transgender community in the public space.” said Dr. R. Lakshmibai, Project Director, TAI-VHS. Dr. N.S. Murali, Secretary, VHS who was presiding the function appealed to media to take the message of ‘Accepting Transgenders’ to the mass and thereby bring about change in mindset of people. Ms. Vasundra, Beautician & Trainer, shared her experience in training transgenders as beauticians and spoke about how she was amazed at their skills. A parent, Mrs Balamani who had accepted her son change to Gopika, appealed to all parents on the occasion “If I can do it, why not you?” Sharing her experiences of having an Aravani tenant, Mrs Saraswathy spoke about how the transgenders now were the first to come forward during any occasion or need in her family. A campaign through Public Service Announcements to be aired on TV and radio was also launched on the occasion. The issues of family acceptance, housing and recognizing the skills of this marginalized group are dealt with in this three-part series. Transgenders have acted in these spots. Media Contact Ms. Jayashree, Associate Manager – Communication, TAI-VHS, 98400 50444 / 2254 2353 / 54 / 55 / jayashree@taivhs.org About TAI The Tamil Nadu AIDS initiative (TAI) is administered by the Voluntary Health Services (VHS) with the financial support of "Avahan", The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative was launched with the objective of scaling up and increasing the coverage of HIV / AIDS prevention with marginalized groups in Tamil Nadu. The TAI project that began in 2004 April, implements a community-driven STD / HIV / AIDS prevention program in 13 districts in the state reaching nearly 50,000 marginalized communities. The project addresses marginalized women and transgenders in these priority districts. Besides the Aravani Penngal, Kothis and Double-deckers (transgenders in male attire) are also reached out to by the project. About Aravanigal Dinam TAI-VHS has been observing Transgenders’ Day or Aravanigal Dinam on 18th Jan, over the past four years. This was initiated based on a request from the community that wished to be remembered each year in the manner in which Women’s Day or Children’s Day was observed. Every year various activities are carried out on the theme ‘Nalladoru Samudayathirku Nangalum’ (We Too for a Healthy Society), ‘Social consciousness’ for the benefit of the general public. This year while providing free nutritious meals, educating illiterate women and performing street theatre in slums where more transgenders reside, the community focused on the theme “Being Good Neighbors”, with the plea ‘Please rent us a home; we can be a good tenant’.
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