Acknowledging Transgender community
30.9.2013, Mumbai
“I
think I am ‘abnormal’ because, being a man, I am attracted to other men…”
“My
family is pressurizing me to get married to a woman and have a family…”
“I
feel isolated and depressed because of discrimination I face due to my sexual
identity…”
“I have been sexually abused and I am too
scared to confide this with anyone…”
“I
have an infection in my private parts and feel ashamed to go to my family
doctor…”
“I
have had unprotected sex with a stranger, and I am worried what I should do…”
These
are some of the questions and fears, many men who have sex with men usually
face, and they do not know whom to turn to. A new 24 hours by 7 days helpline
has been started to address this very important aspect and provide crucial
information and counseling. Sahaay Helpline can be accessed by dialing
the toll-free number 1800-2000-113. While the July 2nd 2009 Delhi
High Court verdict read down Sec377 of IPC, effectively decriminalizing
homosexuality, brought forward the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender(LGBT)
community more openly talking about gender and sexuality, these have primarily
been in the four large metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata. In
other cities and in smaller towns, the LGBT community is still pretty much
underground and largely invisible. Gay men and lesbian women are still being
forced into marriages with members of the opposite sex and transgender face
acute discrimination. Most of them do not know whom to turn to or seek help
from.
To
address this, and provide services for the hidden community of men who have sex
with men (MSM) and transgender, a new helpline offers round the clock
information and counseling on HIV/AIDS, STI & psycho social and legal
issues. If the helpline is found useful,
Sahaay Project will advocate with
Department of AIDS Control in implementing it across the country. For any
information regarding the helpline itself, one may write to sahaayonline@gmail.com
or stay in touch on face book at https://www.facebook.com/Sahaay.Helpline
BhawanaSomaaya /
@bhawanasomaaya