A section of the transgender community is miffed that the Kerala government failed to announce any welfare measures for the broader transgender community and instead included only transwomen in a new scheme meant for women security (Sthree Suraksha Padhathi).
Under the recently announced scheme, women, including transwomen, from poor families who are not beneficiaries of social welfare schemes will be given a monthly financial assistance.
The other gender identities under the transgender umbrella have been left out in the cold by the State government, say transgender community members. Kerala always tries to portray itself as progressive and inclusive, and this move will be highlighted as an achievement, but the government shockingly did not consider other transgender persons in its welfare announcements, says Arjun Geetha, a transman and a Transgender Welfare Board member.
“What should have been done was to announce a separate scheme for transgender persons, rather than target one section within the community and bring in stratification,” says Arjun.
Ponnu Ima, a programme associate with the Thrissur-based Sahayatrika who identifies as non-binary, points out that transgender is an umbrella term that includes identities such as transgender, transmen, non-binary, intersex, and others. “Do not others under these identities also require security?” Ponnu asks.
Ponnu points out the lack of clarity in the announcement. “There are many transgender persons who have not come out. There are also many transwomen who identify themselves as transgender and have the transgender ID card. What about them?”
Arjun and Ponnu wonder how local body officials, who very often are not even aware of the diverse identities under this gender spectrum, will identify a transwoman. There’s no identification card for transwomen—only for those who identify as transgender or those who have undergone some gender affirming procedure and identify as binary. The question is will they give the financial assistance only to those whose ID lists them as female, they ask.
There is also the question of visibility of transwomen in society as issues faced by them are highlighted more, while those of other transgender identities do not get as much attention, says Arjun.
Arjun worries that such announcements, which have not been well thought out, will force transgender persons to medically transition to female in order to avail themselves of the benefits.
Ponnu is also of the opinion that such problems arise when announcements are made without proper consultation with the transgender community.
Published – November 25, 2025 07:45 pm IST
