Revitalising the transgender Community: Social Development Centre, Delhi

Abstract

A transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, genderqueers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra. Intersex variations is defined to mean a person who at birth shows variation in his or her primary sexual characteristics, external genitalia, chromosomes, or hormones from the normative standard of male or female body. (Rajya Sabha, India, 2019) In India, 'Hijra' is term used to refer to transwomen (male-to female transsexual or transgender individuals). (HIJRA LIVES: NEGOTIATING SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND IDENTITIES Mrinalini Mazumdar) Hijras are unique group of people having distinct gendered identities that have a socio-religious underpinning to their existence in India. (Chandiramani and Berry, 2005: 160–162). This ancient close-knit community is usually discriminated against and marginalized owing to superstition and colonial hangover. The census report reveals that India is home to 4.9 lakh transgenders, the count of which is highly disputed owing to fear of coming out, of which very few receive a family environment or proper education. In Protection of Transgender Rights Bill 2019 talks about the acceptance of Transgenders in the gender spectrum of the society. It details policies for Prohibition against discrimination, Right of Residence, Employment, Education, Healthcare and Certificate of Identity. Many welfare programs are launched under the scheme, one of them being the ‘Garima Greh’ project which is a pilot scheme aiming to provide shelter to 25 Trans-people as well as organize Vocational Training sessions. The project forms its basis in current documentation and community interaction to envisage the scale and space of the pioneer model. Based in Delhi, the National Capital of India, the project will develop its vision of inclusive social development and requires understanding of the traditions and aspirations of the community while the tackling of the extreme climate using the local material and techniques to maximum potential. It aims to build a go-to center to uplift the mystery around transgenders, empower the community and provide safe spaces to habitat and interact. The spaces are envisaged for a wholesome sustainable development catering to human, social, economic and environmental values, working hand-in-hand with the community members’ views and opinions. The concept of “an architecture quiet and modest but revealing undoubted grace and dignity” holds together the multifaceted program of spaces