Dr Lucky Gupta
Last week was observed as Transgender Awareness Week. The significant importance of this week was to advocate transgender equality and safety at the global level by addressing their issues on several platforms. During this period, the community’s spotlight is on transgender lives, and it culminates in the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The period acts as a bridge between silence and voice, between visibility and invisibility, and between remembrance and action. This week reminds us to learn, to speak, and to act. During this time, the resilience and positive impact of transgender persons, along with awareness among the public, organisations, and allies about the challenges they face in their lives, are focussed on.
The significance of the week deliberates and addresses many issues related to transgender persons, including increasing consciousness about transgender people who continue to face discrimination in many areas of life such as healthcare, employment, education, and misinformation.
It helps society understand their reality of identification, acceptance, and transformation.
Families and individuals often share their personal stories throughout this week through community events and media, debunking preconceptions and promoting genuine understanding about transgender identities.
These are done through various workshops, lectures, and campaigns. Honouring the lives lost in violent crimes against transgender individuals and drawing attention to the urgent need for change are two major purposes of memorials and vigils.
Clinical Protocol to follow are the WHO Guidelines for 2023-2025, which are as follows:
4Gender-affirming care
4Mental health integration
4Sexual and reproductive health services
4Community engagement
4Incorporation of Indian and regional perspectives, including culturally sensitive approaches
Despite its origin in the USA, Transgender Awareness Week is now celebrated all over the globe. Art exhibits and panel discussions are just two of the many ways that grassroots organisations, advocacy groups, and colleges throughout the world commemorate the week.
Awareness must lead to action because it is a call to conscience.
“Equality is not charity, it is justice,” the statement goes on to say, pushing people to rise above feelings of kindness and assume personal accountability to advocate for more inclusive policies and practices.
Mental health services should recognise and support the journey of every transgender individual so that all communities can thrive and every individual, regardless of their gender identity, can experience a sense of belonging, safety, and liberation.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery)