Radio Gives Voice to India's Transgender Community
Stigmatized by society and disowned by relatives, the majority of India's transgender community is forced to live as second-class citizens with restricted access to education, jobs and health care. Determined to combat this discrimination and alienation, the community is now creating its own media to amplify its voice.
by Stella Paul Reporter
Wednesday - July 25, 2012
http://www.globalpressinstitute.org/global-news/asia/india/radio-gives-voice-india%E2%80%99s-transgender-communityBANGALORE, INDIA – It's Thursday morning in Bangalore, a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Community reporter Christy Raj, 27, is hurrying to finish his work before 12:30 p.m., the hour when his favorite radio show, "Yaaru Ivaru," begins on Radio Active CR 90.4 MHz, a community-run radio station.
Raj says he wouldn't miss the program for the world. The reason is simple: This is the only media show in his region that is by, of and for people like him: transgenders.
Yaaru Ivaru, which translates to "Who is This Person?," advocates for the rights of the transgender community. It also provides a space for trangender people to express themselves.
"This is the only program that makes me feel that the world is equal and where there is a space for people other than male or female," Raj says with a smile.
