Trans Rights Now Collective
Trans Rights Now Collective (TRNC) is a Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi-centered collective of transgender individuals in India which was founded by Grace Banu.[1][2]
| Abbreviation | TRNC |
|---|---|
| Founder | Grace Banu |
| Founded at | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Purpose | Advocacy, Support, and Rights for Transgender Individuals |
| Headquarters | Tamil Nadu, India |
Region | India |
History
[edit]Trans Rights Now Collective was founded by Grace Banu, a prominent Dalit and transgender activist. Grace Banu created history by becoming the first transgender person to secure admission to an engineering college in Tamil Nadu.
The collective has been at the forefront of India's trans rights movement, advocating for the rights and visibility of transgender individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Work
[edit]Grace Banu and the collective have been vocal in demanding horizontal reservations in education and employment for transgender people. They have argued that clubbing all transgender persons into one category neglects the diversity within the community and the specific caste-based oppression faced by many.[3][4][5]
On April 17, 2023, over 15 transgender people, led by Grace Banu, staged a peaceful protest near Chennai's Kalaignar Karunanidhi Memorial. They were "forcefully" detained and "manhandled" by the Chennai Police before being released the same evening.[6] The protest aimed to bring attention to the demand for horizontal reservations for transgender individuals.[7][8][9]
In 2022, on November 20, which is observed as International Transgender Day of Remembrance, the collective presented a play titled "Sandakaranga" in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. the play showcased the harassment, abuse, and assault in that transgender people face in schools, and brought to life the voices of the trans lives lost. The writer and director of this show is the award-winning actress Negha Shahin.[10] The entire production was an effort by the trans community, everything from conception and direction to costume design and acting.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ Bhandara, Neville (2020-04-21). "Vogue Warriors: Meet Grace Banu, the transwoman fighting to ensure the safety of India's trans folx through this pandemic". Vogue India. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Dass, S. Godson Wisely (2022-04-17). "Her blue, pink, white fight for trans rights - meet Grace Banu from TN". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Web, Statesman (2023-06-07). "From 'Pride Month' to landing on the moon, in the summer of '69". The Statesman. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "Horizontal Reservation for trans people: Grace Banu in no mood to give up her struggle". The New Indian Express. 2023-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "'Don't Have Just One Identity': Transgender People Urge Govt to Rethink Quota Under OBC Category". The Wire. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "An equal stake in the nation: Why transgender people are demanding horizontal reservation". The Indian Express. 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Sasikumar, Meenakshy (2023-04-20). "Explained: Why Trans People Are Demanding Horizontal Reservation Across Castes". TheQuint. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Staff, T. N. M. (2023-04-17). "Police manhandle, detain trans persons protesting at Chennai Karunanidhi memorial". The News Minute. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Priya, Azeefa Fathima,Lakshmi (2023-02-11). "Trans candidates accuse TN govt of denying them employment despite court order". The News Minute. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Iyer, Sahana (2022-11-22). "Upcoming play Sandakaranga, presented by Trans Rights Now Collective, to focus on injustice to trans people". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "Unveiled: theatre of the trans community". People's Archive of Rural India. 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Iyer, Sahana (2022-11-22). "Upcoming play Sandakaranga, presented by Trans Rights Now Collective, to focus on injustice to trans people". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 2024-07-08.