Trans community hit hard by pandemic- The Times of India
As featured in the Times of India by Aditi Mallick on 28th June, 2020….
HYDERABAD: As many as 2,500 transgender persons in the city have seen their earnings come down to nothing in wake of the pandemic. Most from the community depend on begging and sex work for income but now are struggling to pay rent and procuring essentials.
Gauri (name changed) who lives in a small single room in the city has not been able to pay rent for the past three months. “The room is small for one person but now two more from my community are living here as they have nowhere else to go. The landlord has asked them to leave as more people means more consumption of water. He even told me to start paying rent from June. How will I manage to pay with no income?” Gauri said.
According to the community, most are fearing eviction. “It is not easy for our community to find another house. The Andhra Pradesh government had launched a policy for the transgender community in the state by offering pensions, ration cards. housing sites and other assistance. What has the Telangana government done? Only few of have Aadhar cards while ration cards are nonexistent” said Telangana Hijra Transgender Samithi general secretary, Chandramukhi Muvvala.
With the world observing pride month, city-based NGO Youngistaan has distributed nutrition kits to the community across the city. “One of the worst affected during the pandemic are transgender communities. We are looking forward to supporting at least 1,000 people till the end of this month.” said NGO founder Arun Daniel Yellamaty.
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