Local Goa News

Friday, August 26, 2016

Transgender population in Goa to be assessed

PANAJI: The department of social welfare will shortly conduct a survey to assess the transgender population in the state. The survey will be conducted in three months and a questionnaire is presently being finalized.
While the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has about 50 transgenders registered with it, the exact number of transgenders residing in Goa is not known.

Participating in a discussion titled, 'Scenario of transgenders in Goa and the way forward' deputy director of the social welfare department, Sudesh Gaude, invited members of the transgender community to come forward with their suggestions, so that schemes launched for weaker sections of the society could also be thrown open to them. However, a survey is required to be conducted before such a move is made.
Three NGOs have been identified to conduct the survey, Gaude said.
In an hour-long discussion on the transgender community, a myth that its population in Goa was negligible and that those who are seen on the streets come from outside Goa, was dispelled.
National programme manager of the HIV/AIDS Alliance, Abheena Aher, exhorted members of the transgender community not to tolerate any kind of injustice.
There was a consensus that society should learn to empathize with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. Participants also endorsed greater awareness for members of the public and sensitization prodrives for government officials.

TOI Goa News

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