Trans People, Sex Workers Celebrate Pre-Christmas with Joy

Hyderabad: More than 300 transgender persons, hijras and sex workers gathered for the pre-Christmas event held at Secunderabad on Tuesday. The carol service had the Indian instruments dominating with shouts of praise and worship. Those who attended were well dressed the whole place was looking like a Christmas day.

With them clapping their hands and moving their feet, the event was filled with excitement. The trans community members rejoiced at the state government's initiative to include them in the police, they also urged the government to help those above fifty years with employment opportunities. Several attendees explained that there has been a slow change in the society.

The cake cutting and ‘Jingle Bells’ are part of the event and all the attendees got Christmas gifts from the organisers. Most of them liked the rich plum cake served before breaking up for the biryani.

During her Christmas message, Rev. Dr Joy Cherian of the United People's Fellowship explained God’s love is for every human being. “People may show discrimination but all are equal in God’s sight. And the coming of Jesus Christ is for the downtrodden and those who are rejected in the society,” she said.

Jacob Chinnappa, a retired Air Force officer, who organised this event, said, “I have been working for the past several years with the trans people and sex workers. These people need care and support from the society. There has been a major shift in people’s perception from earlier times. Though the discrimination exists towards them, it's time people change and accept them as individuals.”

Pulakasi Swapna Mala, a transgender person, said, “We welcome the Chief Minister’s initiative for the transgender people, the first of its kind in the world. However, that is for those below 40 years. We are above that age. The government should also provide some earning source for us, who are growing old and becoming weak.”

Mata Sree Janaki, another transgender person, shared, “This is a great platform of celebrations. Christmas amongst our people and the gathering is as sweet as the cake. When we meet on such platforms we will come to know new people and can explain to them our rights and duties in society.”