Tripura LGBT community asserts its rights, says discrimination should end

The LGBT community of Tripura has come together to assert their individuality and rights in a programme held in Tripura.

Members of the LGBT community came out to reveal their real identity and spoke about the discrimination that they have to face time and again in society during a function held at the Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Friday evening.

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The programme also included dance performances and panel discussions and a few LGBT people also walked the ramp, exuberating confidence in their uniqueness.

The programme was the brainchild of Leena Sharma, a PhD researcher working on an ethnography of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Also read: Plight of LGBT community during Covid-19 pandemic

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During her fieldwork in Agartala, Sharma met LGBT members and supporters and suggested that they should speak about themselves, their aspirations and the problems they face on a social platform.

Leena Sharma said, “The common people don’t know the basic things about the LGBT community. They ostracize them and do not include them in the fold of society.”

“The mindset of the people have to change; only then can the LGBT members voice their opinion on important issues concerning them and enjoy their rights,” said Sharma.

Senha Gupta Roy the first person in Tripura to change her gender was also present on the occasion.  Born as a man, Sneha underwent surgery to become a woman.

“It is really sad that the people do not consider us as normal human beings and refuse to accept us,” said Sneha.

“Many think we were born as LGBT because of some sin we had committed in our past lives. It is about time they understand we are normal people with different preference and given a chance we can also contribute to the society,” Sneha added.

“My parents initially did not allow me to participate in the programme, but I insisted on attending it,” said a member of the LGPT community on condition of anonymity.