September 22nd 2024.
In the northern Indian territory of Kashmir, transgender individuals face a daily battle for dignity and survival. Pinky, a 21-year-old transgender woman, recently experienced this struggle firsthand when a young boy approached her and offered money for sex. Despite her anger and attempts to defend herself, she received no support from the bystanders who only laughed at her.
This was not an isolated incident for Pinky, but rather a reflection of the discrimination and challenges she faces on a regular basis. Despite her calm and determined demeanor, there is a hint of sadness in her eyes as she speaks about her life. Growing up in a privileged and successful home, Pinky faced rejection when she expressed her true identity as a girl at the age of 10. Her family kicked her out and she found solace with the transgender community, but life was far from easy.
Pinky tried to earn a living through traditional roles like matchmaking and singing, but as she got older, she realized it was not enough to survive. Desperate for income, she turned to sex work, a choice she never thought she would have to make. Society in Kashmir has long marginalized transgender individuals, excluding them from mainstream life and limiting their opportunities. In the past, they were accepted as matchmakers and singers, but with the decline of these traditional roles, many transgender people struggled to make a living.
Pinky is not alone in her struggles. With limited job opportunities and societal discrimination, many transgender individuals have turned to sex work as a means of survival. According to Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Bund, a Srinagar-based LGBTQIA+ activist, there has been a significant increase in sex work among transgender individuals since the first COVID lockdown. He believes that if they were given equal opportunities and respect, they would not have to resort to this line of work.
Bunty, a 33-year-old transgender woman from North Kashmir, also turned to sex work as a means of survival. Her childhood was marked by sexual abuse and trauma, and she continues to struggle with PTSD. With limited options for employment and widespread discrimination, many transgender individuals are forced into sex work to make ends meet.
The daily battle for dignity and survival that transgender individuals face in Kashmir is a reflection of the larger issues of discrimination and lack of opportunities in society. Until these issues are addressed, many will continue to struggle for basic human rights and respect.
Many transgender people in Kashmir face a daily struggle for dignity and survival. One such person is Pinky, a 21-year-old transgender woman living in the town of Srinagar. Two months ago, Pinky was out with friends when a young boy offered her money for sex. She was furious and slapped him, but no one came to her aid. This incident is just one example of the constant battle that Pinky and other transgender individuals face in the Northern Indian territory.
Pinky has a calm and determined expression as she speaks about her experiences to Metro. She wraps a shawl around herself, and her eyes reveal both strength and sadness. Despite growing up in a privileged and successful home, Pinky faced rejection from her family when she came out as a girl at the age of 10. Seeking solace, she found refuge within the transgender community, but life was far from easy. She tried to make a living through traditional roles such as matchmaking and singing, but it wasn't enough to survive.
Desperate for income, Pinky turned to sex work, a choice she never imagined she would have to make. From her modest room in Srinagar, she reflects on her past and says, "I never thought my life would take such a turn. But when you have no other choice, you do what you must to survive."
The transgender community in Kashmir has long been marginalized and excluded from mainstream life. This prejudice starts within families and extends to the wider community. In the past, transgender individuals were accepted as matchmakers and singers, providing them with a steady income and respect for their skills and traditions. However, with economic hardships and technological advancements, the demand for these roles has decreased, leaving many transgender people struggling to make a living.
Pinky, like many others, had to rely on her savings and take out loans to support herself. She also worked as a daily-wage laborer, but it was not enough to sustain her. "I tried everything I could, but every path seemed blocked. When you have no support, no way to earn, and no one to turn to, you reach a point where you do what you must to survive," she recalls.
Pinky's first client was in the Nowgam area, known for its sex work. It was a difficult decision for her, but she felt she had no other options. She is not alone; the rise in sex work among transgender individuals in Kashmir is noticeable. According to Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Bund, a local LGBTQIA+ activist, there has been a significant increase in sex work since the first COVID lockdown. "Before the pandemic, there were around 30 transgender individuals involved in sex work. Now, there are around 150," he reveals.
The main reason for this rise in sex work is societal exclusion and discrimination. "If transgender individuals were given equal opportunities and respect, they wouldn't have to resort to sex work," Dr. Bund explains. Bunty, a 33-year-old transgender woman from North Kashmir, knows this all too well. She was sexually abused by villagers during her childhood and was eventually forced to flee her home. The trauma she experienced has led to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which she continues to struggle with.
In a society where transgender individuals face constant harassment and lack of opportunities, sex work has become a means of survival. It is a difficult and often dangerous path, but for many, it is the only way to make a living. The pandemic has only exacerbated the situation, leaving many transgender people with no other choice but to turn to sex work to survive.
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