SAHIWAL: Trans people are feeling the heat of lockdown and disruption of routine matters, says Anmol Raza, president of the Zindagi Welfare Trust, a not for profit organization working for the welfare of transgender in Sahiwal. Anmol lives in a rented house at Kot Khadim Ali locality by herself.

She told Dawn that because of lockdown and social distancing their earning and living had miserably been disturbed. She said so far no government functionary had talked about transgender welfare.

According to her, in Sahiwal city alone, more than 200 transgender people are living at 28 rented deras. Each dera is headed by a guru. The house rent is collectively paid by those living with the guru.

She said transgender persons in any locality were either associated with dance and music or getting donation from people on male baby birth or begging. The latter category consists of old trans people and they live in a group of five or six with two or three musicians.

Of the 28 deras, 20 belong to the first type and eight to the other. These deras are located in Jahaz Ground, Farid Town, Kot Khadim Ali Shah, Ghala Mandi, Bypass, Bahirwala Ada and Pakpattan Chowk.

Anmol said because of lockdown and imposition of Section 144, both groups of transgender people were out of work. She said whenever they knocked any door in any mohalla for tip, the house owner would say, “Shame on you; we are struck with the coronavirus pandemic and you are begging for money.” With this, they ask us to leave the house immediately. She said paying rent of house was the biggest challenge for them in the lockdown period.

She demanded that the government prepare a list of transgender gurus and pay them rent for at least three months. She said it was strange the district government had a list of transgender people but it did not contact any one to help them.

Anmol demanded that the district government officials immediately make a list of transgender deras and supply them money so that they also get basic necessities.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020