Madhav Dulal/Pahichan – By birth male, now female. How can it happen?  Teacher Roshi Shrestha of Suryodaya Secondary School Maitidevi asked if they are transgender by birth. Which one you do you prefer boy, girls or transgender when you meet? Arjun Khatiwada of Ananda Bhumi School asked this question.

Instantly, a student asked, is it possible to give birth to children if there is sexual intercourse between boys or between girls?  Transgender Bhumika Shrestha faced several such interesting questions when she was busy to inform about this community.

During the PurpleMySchool campaign launched by Blue Diamond Society teachers and students of Suroydaya and Ananda Bhumi tried to understand about this community with keen interest.

Shrestha said at the time of birth she was son but during the course of time she got herself features and gestures of daughter. “Some people hate us but it was not my interest to become transgender. I can not become male even though I want so,” Shrestha said.  Shrestha said though she can not give birth to a child, she is interested to adopt the children. “Which toilet (male for female) do you use? a student asked.

Shrestha said she is using female’s toilet. Shrestha said she failed to complete their school level education due to discrimination of teachers. “Please make an appropriate environment for this community so that they can study without any hesitation,” said Shrestha. Shrestha also asked to make an environment so that all can disclose their identity.

This issue could be incorporated

Joint Secretary at Ministry of Education Hari Lamsal who participated in this campaign said the issue of gender and sexual minority should be incorporated in the school level curriculum.

According to him, this issue could be incorporated even in the training of teachers. “Students could be the agents of change in society though the process if change is very difficult,” Lamsal said. He no one should deprived from education due to their gender identity. “All the people should enjoy school environment, students with separate identity should not mocked, and Lamsal said adding that all should respect the diversity. Subas Pokhrel of BDSthough in curricula of 6,7 and 8, teachers have failed to provide full knowledge to students. Pokhrel suggested providing trainings to school teachers. In response, Pokhrel said it is not a big deal and training could be conducted after holding discussions.

Ranavd Meyer of UNDP said society should recognize this community and government should accept this community.  According to him, members of this community are not getting rights due to narrow mindset of some people. “Due to some instances, members of this community do not go to school, please love and respect to the members of this community,” Meyer said. Chairman of PABSON Lakshya Bahadur said he is getting knowledge about this community through Pahichan Radio program. He said members of this community should not be discriminated. Transgender rights activist Sudeep Gautam said he was denied from getting education for being transgender. “Please love and respect to the members of this community,” said Gautam. Bharat Shresth of UNDP asked all to participate PurpleMySchool campaign.