Trans heroes play good samaritan to homeless and hungry in

They are largely shunned by society, ridiculed, stigmatized and forced to live a cloistered existence.

But for happy occasions like childbirth or a wedding, they are rarely welcome anywhere, and face the taunt and derision with characteristic nonchalance and, of course, respond with their typical sneering clap.

Society may have distanced itself from them in happier times but these bunch of eunuchs or transgenders, smelling of cheap lipstick and talcum powder, are playing good samaritans to the homeless and the hungry in the City of Joy as the coronavirus rampages through the world.

Shankari, a member of the community, was seen with others distributing rice, potatoes, dal and other food material to rickshawpullers, maid servants and daily wagers who have lost their jobs, at Garia.

"We have saved money for future like everybody else. But the plight of daily wagers in our locality has become unbearable for us. We canot sit idle. We will take care of them even if it means skipping a meal at night," said Shankari.

All in her team wear masks and exercise social distancing.

"We have distributed 1,000 kg of rice, 400 kg potatoes, 40 kg dal among the poor so far in our locality. We will continue to do so," said Shankari as those standing in a queue to receive the things looked at her, weary-eyed but with a faint smile laden with gratitude.

Thousands of kilometres away in Bengaluru, the transgender community is in distress.

Many of their folks, down with diseases caused by AIDS, contracted from clients for whom they are mere objects of carnal pleasure, find it difficult to meet their basic needs.

With streets empty and markets closed, many of them who depend on beggary for survival, are going without food.

"We are finding it difficult to get even one square meal. Nobody is coming forward to help us," a transgender said.

While pointing out that the government was helping labourers and other needy people, another transgender said, "What wrong have we done? The situation is such that we cannot go out and ask for money or food...at least provide us with food."
She said over one lakh transgenders in different parts of state were facing hardships but we have to be strong and reach out to the poor."
She gets angry when asked how much a eunuch may earn from motorists every day at traffic signals seeking alms. "No real hijra will beg for alms in public places. They are fakes, who bring disgrace to our community."