Transgender people\'s toll collection

Society is yet to recognise transgender people as its members in equal terms with others. This particular type along with intersex is highly misunderstood -more than the lesbian, gay and bisexual. Society has a long way to go before the exceptional varieties of genders as against the typical are judged in right perspective. Their being different from the stereotyped notion of male and female is no fault of theirs. Surely, this social outlook is to blame for not allowing them to go about normal business of life like every other member of society. However, it is the transgender people who are more conspicuous than others in the city. Evidently, they live on generosity of people. They cannot or do not rely on any other decent source of income  

On the fringe, the transgender community therefore has to develop their own mechanism and kits for their survival. But at times they become too aggressive to limit their demand for money from the members of public. In the subcontinent, there is a tradition pertaining to transgender groups' arrival at homes where a baby is just born. The group sings and dance on this most auspicious occasion and would not leave unless they are paid a handsome amount as reward for their uninvited entertainment and blessings for the newborn. Their demands vary from Tk 500 to several thousands of taka depending on the financial status of the family.

Some of them used to beg at several points of the busy city. But of late they have started asking for money on getting on board running buses. Earlier a few of them used to target private cars, taxis, then gradually auto-rickshaws and rickshaws on a few selected city roads. But now more and more of the transvestite members are coming to claim their share of the unearned money. The way they storm a public bus gives the impression that it is their right to collect such tolls from passengers. They are not polite in their behaviour as well. Their indecent gestures and suggestive languages most of the time become an embarrassment for young men and women, students and others unaccustomed to such things.

They are now known as transgender toll collectors who take advantage of people's reluctance to protest and willingness to get rid of them as soon as possible even if it means parting with Tk 10-20 instead. College or university students who are shy and like to be left alone are their prime target. Their operation is regular and relentless. The aggressiveness in their asking for money is conspicuous and no one dare challenge them. But this is going out of control and therefore proving intolerable to passengers. The regular commuters feel helpless before this systematic toll collection.

Under the present circumstances, this practice is expected to gain further ground defying public derision. In fact, the seed of the problem lies in the denial of equal treatment of transgender and intersex people. Recognition of their true identity and acceptance of it by the general public can either rehabilitate or integrate them into mainstream society. If they get the opportunity to get educated and pursue a career like all members of society, they will not depend on such demeaning financial support. Meanwhile law enforcers should be instructed to bring an end to their random operation on running buses.

The world is changing fast. In many developed countries they are not treated very differently. Two killers of blogger Oysiqur Rahman were caught by two transgender persons, the only such incident of catching such killers red-handed. They have proved their bravery. Similarly, they are expected to perform equally well provided they are given the right environment and opportunity. Following their hefty income, some normal people are now impersonating as members of the transgender community. It will be dangerous if they succeed in this deceitful venture as well.