Omprakash is 27 and has spent nearly 12 years in Mumbai as a masseur, a garb under which thousands of male sex workers work in and around the city. Today he seeks izzat, a word that has been drilled deep into the minds of several like Omprakash, who will soon be taking vocational training with a city-based NGO, Samabhavana.

“I have worked in Mumbai for a very long time. My job pays well; my parents in Mathura don’t know what I do here and are happy with the money I send. But I am scared I will catch an infection; I want to leave this job,” says Omprakash, a school dropout, who along with his colleagues had assembled in Byculla for an induction lecture on the training they will soon participate in.

“They have informed us about a mobile repair course. I am aware it will not earn me enough. But it will surely be a better life. I want to earn my self-respect back,” he said.

Omprakash’s tone was echoed by the 50-odd male sex workers who had gathered to learn of several courses that will soon be started for the group. Samabhavana, which works on the issues of gay rights, began its work with thousands of Mumbai’s “masseurs” in early 2000. “Most of these men came in search of jobs and landed in the sex trade, but back home no one knows. Over 9,000 sex workers are registered in Mumbai. We are trying to help them earn a better living,” said convener Jasmir Thakur.

... contd.