Take us seriously, give us rights as straight couples: Transgenders, gay couples
Community expresses expectations from electoral candidates.
Sriram Sridhar and Shyam Konnur, founders of MIST LGBTQ Foundation. (Image: Instagram) Written by Shubam Kurale
Shameebha Patil, made history by being the first transgender woman being fielded by a major political party (VBA) for the State Assembly. However, her Congress opponent, who she claimed was a dummy put up by BJP, resorted to maligning her publicly. As Patil battles out the odds, the LGBTIAQ community in the state said their representation is often neglected or taken for granted in the political realms.
When Sriram Sridhar and Shyam Konnur got married earlier this year, they wanted to have equal rights like straight couples. Sridhar, executive director of MIST LGBTQ Foundation, said while such rights are missing, no one except the Congress has made any effort to bring about representation of the community. “The Congress’s manifesto was drawn up in consultation with the community, and so it addresses mental health and other priorities,” he said. Sriram, however, said that while the community is an important part of society, political parties have not reached out to them in the manner they should have.
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