The ICC (GSCASH) to commemorate “Trans Vigilance Awareness Week (13-19th November)” and Transgender day of Remembrance (20th November), organised a talk on 21st November at Ambedkar Auditorium, University of Hyderabad. The talk entitled, “Reflecting on Trans-phobia in Public and Private Spaces” by inviting two guest speakers- Dr Ruth John Paul and Ms.Mukunda Mala. Dr Ruth John Paul is activist and first trans-woman in India to get PG admission in medicine and Ms. Mukunda Mala, an LGBTQ activist and founder of Queer Bandhu Parents Association.
The evening started with a brief introduction about ICC GSCASH as a statutory body in the University of Hyderabad and the processes involved in approaching and registering a complaint. Speaking first on the topic of Trans-phobia, Dr Ruth shared about her personal life experiences- her transitional journey, the hurdles she faced to enter into medical profession, even to get a PG seat and her fight with the system in the process.
Continuing on the above topic, Ms.Mukunda Mala gave the perspective as a mother of a trans-woman. She shared her learning journey about homosexuality, their problems and how she started social work on these lines. Both the speakers emphasized the problems faced by trans-genders within their family, in educational institutions, in getting health care facilities etc. The talks were followed by an interactive session with students.
The evening ended with proposal of vote of thanks and presentation of mementos to the speakers. This talk was organized with the active involvement of the student members of ICC.