Poor living conditions, lack of stable employment, and difficulties in availing of benefits under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme – which, under the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, is being restructured – continue to affect several transgender women living in south Chennai, particularly Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar.
Durgasri, a member of the Thirunangai Vizhigal Amaippu in Kannagi Nagar, said many trans women were availing of the Magalir Urimai Thogai in Chennai, but nearly 4,000 in the city continued to face hurdles in enrolling despite repeatedly petitioning officials. She is among several trans women residing in housing units under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) in Ezhil Nagar, behind the Kannagi Nagar tenements.
She, along with Maya Sri, Sneha, Vaishnavi, Kalaivani, and Maha Sri, alleged that issues of alcoholism and substance abuse were rampant in the tenements allocated to them. Pointing to missing bulbs and damaged electric boards, the residents said theft also remained a major concern in the locality.
Trans women who reside in Ezhil Nagar complain of poor facilities | Photo Credit: R. Aishwaryaa
Hazardous living environment
