Telangana Queer Collective, the sexual and gender minorities (Hijra, Transgender, Lesbian, Kothi, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Inter-sex, Inter-gender, Asexual, Queer and Allies of Telangana) will march to reclaim spaces transgressing social norms at the Hyderabad Queer Swabhiman Pride 2018 to be held on Sunday.
Addressing mediapersons here today, HTLKGBPIIAQA members Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Chandramukhi Muvvala, Monalisa, Tashi Chodeup demanded that the State and Union governments ensure equal fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They also demanded that the Centre repeal Section 377 IPC in Parliament and the State governments in the respective State Legislatures in so far as it criminalizes consensual acts of love between adults regardless of their sex or gender attributes. They also demanded repeal of Karnataka Police Act 36A, Telangana Eunuchs Act 1329F, Telangana Prevention of Begging Act and all anti-beggary, anti-Hijra laws, sedition laws, UAPA and AFSPA, and removal of marital rape exception from rape laws which should offer redressal to all victims/survivors of sexual assault irrespective of gender.
They also demanded Establishment of Transgender Commission on the lines of Human Rights Commission and Women’s Commission and sensitization among various caste and religious groups to stop heterosexual marriages of sexual and gender minorities. They also demanded that the Telugu cine industry and news media to stop making derogatory narrative and mockery of sexual and gender minorities. Transgender Persons Bill 2016 in the present form should be annulled and Transgender people must be given reservations in education and employment in both private and government institutions, they added. (NSS)