In 2021, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started 13 pilot foster homes known as “Garima Greh” for transgender people. The Covid-19 pandemic hampered the smooth running of one of Garima Greh’s houses in Manipur, but the remaining 12 foster homes have been successfully established in nine states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. These foster homes were established under the SMILE (Support Marginalized People for Livelihood and Business) scheme in accordance with the Transgender People (Protection of Rights) Act 2019.
The scheme allocated ₹365 crore over a span of five years, providing each Garima Greh with an annual grant of ₹36,46,500. However, the center has not released the funds since March 2022. As a result, several Garima Greh have faced closure or are about to close. Garima Greh in Mumbai has urgently appealed for funds on an online crowdfunding platform.
The trans men’s dormitory at the Garima Greh now remains closed / TIT Education
Delhi’s Garima Greh Program Director Bella Sharma also reported the lack of funding, resulting in the closure of the trans men’s dormitory. In the midst of this challenging situation, Krishna Singh, a 27-year-old trans man and resident of Garima Greh in Delhi, finds himself dealing with circumstances.
Krishna Singh in the trans women’s dormitory at Delhi’s Garima Greh / TIT Education
Singh left home in 2014 and came to Garima Greh from Delhi in 2021. “There was only one reason: lack of acceptance from my family, who wanted me to live as I was born. I could not do that; I felt suffocated. They wanted me to live like a woman,” Singh explained, sharing his reasons for leaving home.
Singh relaxes on his bed when he returns after a long day at work / TIT Education
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In Singh’s case, Garima Greh from Delhi played a crucial role in helping him discover his true identity. “The dawn that similar people with similar problems exist in a world that accepts us as we are was ecstatic… It was only after I came to Garima Greh that I learned that I am a trans man. I soon learned the technicalities of the LGBTQIA+ community,” he expressed.
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Garima Greh, under the SMILE scheme, empowers residents through skills development and improvement programmes, enabling them to secure sustainable employment. However, due to a lack of funds, it has been a task to keep such programs running. Despite this, Rudrani Chhetri, a project manager at Delhi’s Garima Greh, has reassured the residents of her commitment to keep the safe house operational. “At a time when she can barely support a person for a day, she [Rudrani] It has held us all. He even promised that no matter how many Garima Grehs closed across the country, he would not allow this one to do the same,” Singh said.
Singh shows photos of past events and celebrations at the Garima Greh / TIT Education
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However, the fear of closure hangs over Singh and other residents of Garima Greh. Singh expressed his concern by stating that he “is not a [single] penny from the fund has come in the last year and a half. Rudrani ma’am is in charge of everything… She is the force behind the livelihood. The government just paid us lip service.”
Singh likes to exercise, but lack of funds has led to the closure of the gym / TIT Education
He fears that if Delhi’s Garima Greh closes, it will significantly affect his life and the lives of many others like him, leaving them with no avenues of empowerment and forcing them to live a life without dignity.
Entrance to the main office of Garima Greh / TIT Education
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“A trans woman can earn money through other means, she can join the toli, but a trans man has nothing but his job. Our body structure is the same. We have to put up with obscene and repetitive questions. Even our parents would throw us a ‘I told you so’”.
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For more stories about the LGBTQIA+ community and homosexuality in India, keep reading Spectrum at TIT Education.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn