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Disowned by family for being a transgender, youngster opts for prostitution

  • Disowned by her family for showing signs of being a transgender, she opted for prostitution
  • Transgenders born in middle and marginalised class suffer more humiliation and abuse
  • These groups are more vulnerable and are forced into begging and prostitution
Disowned by family for being Shemale youngster opts for prostitution

 

We are in the 21st century still the minds of people are biased against certain sexual minorities. A youngster staying at Majestic Hotel revealed to Newsable that she opted prostitution as her family had disowned her for being transgender.

Abhinaya, (name changed) is 23-year-old native of Hassan and has been involved in sex work from the last five years. She says, she was born with male sex organs, and at the age of puberty, she also developed breasts. The family consulted few doctors, and it was revealed that it was a case of abnormality where a person is psychologically a female and only in physical is a male person.

“I use to wear girls clothes and put make-up. Because of my behaviour, I was warned and beaten several times and eventually I was thrown out of my home. I came to Bengaluru when I was 16 years and settled with few hijras.  I was given an option to get my male organs operated, but I chose to remain with both male and female organs,” she said.

After 1 and a half year of begging, Abhinaya had a difference of opinion with few of the senior hijras as she wanted to do leave begging and take up work. With help from few of her friends, she tried at a few places, but due to her identity, she was rejected.

 “I have studied up to Ist PUC and wanted to do study more, but there was no support from my family. They rejected me because I was different and did not listen to them.  With no family and friends here, I found prostitution as the viable option. With the little money I got from the sex work, in the beginning, I got breast augmentation done. Now, customers show interest in me and so I get paid well. I have taken a house for rent at Vijaynagar,” she said.

Abhinaya being born in the middle class was more vulnerable to choosing sex work because of her surroundings and the comments that were passed on her and her family. She said had her parents ignored people comments, remarks and supported her; she would have continued her education and become a working professional.

Dr Chandrashekhar, HoD Department of Psychiatry, Bengaluru Medical College says, for such persons, the parent, friends and peer groups should give support and encourage in studies and other activities.  Many transgenders abroad are doing well and are in the main stream. “Such persons should be allowed to live their choice of life in India too. If they are targeted and humiliated at home, there are chances of running away from home and choosing sex work as a means of livelihood,” he said.

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