Eunuchs and transexuals in the city have welcomed the recent move of the Election Commission to allow them to register as other gender in electoral rolls. They are now awaiting the final government nod. Welcoming the decision,eunuchs and organisations working for the welfare of sexual minorities say it is a positive step towards accepting the third gender. This directive indicates that no one can be bracketed within conventional gender norms. It is a crucial step towards accommodating people with different sexual preference, said Bindumadhav Khire of Samabhavana Trust that works for the welfare of sexual minorities. For some,the EC directive means their identity being accepted while others feel relieved for they had suffered much discrimination. I was born a male. But,ever since I became aware of my sexual orientation,I have been living like a female. According to my election ID card,I am a male. But I dont feel like a male. I even underwent a sex change operation. All these years I have been battling with this identity. People like me are relieved now, says Sanjana,a eunuch working with NGO Udaan. Khire says most eunuchs in the city do not have sufficient documents since most of them were thrown out of their families. They dont even have election ID cars or any valid documents. This step will surely make a difference in their lives. Election ID card is an official identity and a key document. So,it is a positive measure. But,before being euphoric about it,let us wait for the final approval from Parliament, says Jasmir Thakur of Samapathik Trust. The fact that eunuchs are unorganised and no census had been done so far to estimate their numbers could have dithered politicians from tapping this possible vote bank. But some feel this third gender identity would easily give them political significance. I have contested Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation election in 2007. I am planning to contest again because I feel the issues we face are grave and need to be addressed. From separate toilets to separate seats in buses,we need societal acceptance as third gender. Till now,we dont have any representatives. I think this directive will definitely be a turning point, says Baljeet Singh,a eunuch from Pimpri. The move by the Election Commission comes months after a Delhi High Court decision to decriminalise Article 377,which considers sex between same genders a crime,opened a widespread debate.
