Urban poor stand up for transgenders

[Shana A]

Urban poor stand up for transgenders
TNN 7 October 2009, 03:34am IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Urban-poor-stand-up-for-transgenders/articleshow/5095218.cms

BANGALORE: It's not the usual `roti-kapada-makaan' demand. This time, the urban poor of Bangalore want something different. They have taken up
the cause of transgenders who are HIV positive.

A manifesto drafted by the urban poor for the ensuing BBMP elections has this much-ignored section of society topping the agenda. The demand is this: identify and treat such persons as `poor', and provide facilities that the poor are entitled to.

[Allamakee]

I think "roti-kapada-makaan" means "food, clothing, shelter."  Certainly those are sensible requests when asking for poverty relief, but if someone more familiar with India could clarify I would appreciate the help.

I would also be interested in learning a bit more about what the article describes.  How much political influence does APSA have? Do other organizations of poor persons exist?  What is the likelihood of the policy demands being met?