Transgenders in India: A Fight for Right to Life

Abstract

Transgender people, right from the ‘coming-out’ phase till death, are subjected to various forms ofdiscrimination and violence. Even after the Indian Government’s recognition of ‘transgender’ as the thirdgender (different from men and women), the situation hasn’t significantly changed. The present articleexplores the homophobic stereotypical attitudes, the role of media, and other factors that aggravate theproblems faced by the transgender people, and their endeavoring struggle for existence and their fight forthe ‘Right to Life’ with dignity. Over the years, the success stories of many transgender personalities, whocould rise against the storm to fit-in with the mainstream society highlight the immediate need ofintroducing various sensitization programs. In addition, legal provisions, socio-political inclusion andacceptance of transgender people in different institutions of the society would result in a society built onegalitarian values.