Kalki Subramanium has set up thirunangai.net to help transgenders find loving husbands. 150 interested men have replied; 25 have proposed marriage
Kalki Subramanium has set up thirunangai.net to help transgenders find loving husbands. 150 interested men have replied; 25 have proposed marriage
Kalki Subramaniam wants what any woman wants love, family and children. But Kalki knows it's not easy to find, especially for transgender people like her. So the media professional and transgender rights activist has set up a matchmaking website called https://www.thirunangai.net/ to find suitable men who will treat the women with respect and dignity.
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"We need to be recognised for who we are," says Kalki |
"People think transgender persons are attracted to other transgenders, but we want men. Biologically, we may not be fully women, but psychologically we are," she says. Though she doesn't believe in marriage herself, Kalki hopes the website will help transgender women find the right husband "who is honest and loyal, and not afraid to introduce the woman as his wife".
Launched in August this year, the website has put up profiles of only six women, all Tamilians and known to Kalki. She explains that she has restricted the number of profiles because of the women's vulnerability, but there are plans to include new profiles. More overwhelming has been the response. Kalki says she has received 300 email responses, 150 of which were from men scientists, businessmen, IT professionals who were actually interested, at least 25 of whom proposed marriage.u00a0
A committee will screen the men and their proposals and there are plans to organise a meeting next month in Chennai, where the organisation is based. Kalki is hopeful that at least one couple will get hitched. "People have been appreciative. There was only one email, out of 300, that called us 'stupid hijras'," she says. The website has drawn responses from all over the country, including Mumbai. While one girl wanted the organisation's help to rescue her from her parents, another wanted to put her profile up on the website.
Kalki, who has been the victim of abuse and discrimination because of her identity, has fought a long and hard battle for transgender rights. She set up the Sahodari Foundation in Chennai last year, to work for the community's empowerment. The organisation deals in advocacy, anti-discrimination and sensitisation programmes, and plans to move into economic empowerment projects.u00a0
The website is another step to spread awareness about the community and raise the issue of marriage and adoption. She says, "It's high time that we talked about these issues. We need to be recognised for who we are, and we deserve the same things as other people."
