The first transgender toilet of Uttar Pradesh has come up in Varanasi under the Smart City Project. This public toilet by the UP government in the Kamachha area of the Varanasi district is entirely for the transgenders. The government has introduced the toilet considering the difficulties that the transgender community faces in using public toilets. At many times, toilets meant for men and women do not allow transgenders. Thus the authority has now opened a public toilet only for the people of the third gender. The government is planning to open more such toilets in the city. Read on to know more.
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The District Administration Plans To Build Four More Transgender Toilets
Varanasi Mayor Mridula Jaiswal inaugurated the first transgender toilet of UP. The toilet has come up in the Kamachha area of Varanasi. According to ANI, speaking about the initiative, Jaiswal said, “It is the first transgender toilet in Uttar Pradesh. We will build more wherever they are required.” Reportedly, the district administration is making plans to introduce four more transgender toilets in the city. The municipal commissioner of Varanasi, Gaurang Rathi said, “These toilets are only for third genders and not for the others. This was a long-awaited demand as they have faced a lot of difficulties. We plan to build four more of them in the upcoming two to three months.”
As many men and women, public toilets do not always allow transgenders, this toilet will be a huge relief for the third gender. It is a highly commendable initiative. Meanwhile, transgenders run this restaurant in Coimbatore and it is highly successful.
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Similar Facilities Will Come Up In Delhi Too
According to a Times Now News report, Roshni, a transgender, said, “Without the toilet, we had to face a lot of difficulties as there was no proper place for us to relieve. We used to relieve ourselves anywhere. But now we are happy we have a safer to place relieve ourselves.” The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is also planning to open similar facilities in Delhi as part of the annual budget for 2021-22. An Indian Express report quoted from the social welfare department order, “Such toilets will display symbols for both persons with disabilities (PwDs) and T for transgender persons. Trans people shall continue to be allowed to use gender-based toilets as per their self-identified gender.” The Delhi government has ordered to make the existing toilets for persons with disabilities available for the transgenders for the time being.
First Published: February 19, 2021 1:07 PM