Sappho – The Support Group for Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women
A love that dare not speak ITS NAME
A woman who dare not share THIS LOVE
A society that dare not accept THIS WOMAN
WILL THIS NEVER CHANGE?
DEFINITELY !!!
Like it started changing
In Kolkata with
THE EMERGENCE OF Sappho,
A Support Group of Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender Women in Eastern India
THE YEAR 1998
FIRE released.. both in theatres and in the psyche of the Indians.
FIRE was the First Indian Cinema to project Lesbian Love.
Two things were crystal clear
The Very Presence of Indian Lesbians
The very resistance of the Indian Homophobic Society
THE YEAR 1999
Far from the fiery war-field of FIRE in Mumbai and Delhi
Six girls of Kolkata were eager
To BREAK THE SILENCE
To BUILD A BOND OF LOVE AND TRUST…
Let there be COURAGE !!
Let there be Sappho !!!
Sappho derives its name from the legendary character of ancient Greek literature. It is a support group for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. With its base in Kolkata, West Bengal, Sappho, founded on 20th June 1999, is the only group of its kind in the whole of Eastern India. The initial goal of the organization was to provide a safe space for women with same sex preference; gradually it moved into a rights-oriented movement to fight discrimination and hatred against marginalized women with same sex preference.
Equality, diversity, transparency, democracy – these have been the guiding values of our organization. We pledge a safe space for our members irrespective of their background in terms of caste, class, religion, region or language. Our members have always felt welcome and encouraged to express their problems or moments of happiness in a congenial environment. We believe in non-judgmental and non-discriminatory support to all members who seek our help. In the larger society we are committed to fight the hegemonic hetero-normative order while affirming diversities and resisting divisiveness. Our struggle is not against individual heterosexual people but against heterosexism.
Loading ...
Programme Schedule
Time: Event: Venue:
10.00 am Exhibition, Esplanade (Near Raas Mani Road)
To Signature Campaign & on the Podium
6.00pm Panel Discussion
2.00 pm Press Conference Esplanade (Near Raas Mani Road)
To on the Podium
3.00pm
4.00 pm Rally From College square to Esplanade
To & (Near Raas Mani Road,
6.30pm Speeches by the Guest, on the Podium)
Leaders of NTHB
Exhibition: All the document related to Violence, General Diary and FIR report to the police station, Photo related with violence with the TG/Hijra, any sensitization or awareness programme, paper cutting etc. near the Podium on the Road where public can access easily. Two volunteers was also standing beside exhibition who were telling the public about the exhibition, Transgender’s Day and Black Day related quarries.
Signature Campaign: Signature Campaign was also going from the morning to till evening. There were seven copies for the signature of the public and seven volunteers were going and telling to the public which was also written in the signature list that they are also agreed that there should be separate indentity and recognition for Transgender/Hijra in the society. Transgender/Hijra also get all the privileges like other human being in India.
Panel Discussion: Panel discussion was there from 12pm to 1pm on the podium. Many public also taken interest and asked many questions related with the event Transgender’s Day, Black Day, difference between Transgender/Hijra and MSM etc. Not only men, there were few women also who were asking many questions regarding all this. We have discussed a lot about the violence, stigma and discrimination with the Transgender/Hijra community. Many Organizations, Leaders and Activist of LGBTH community boycott this event for their personal reason but this is also true many Women Organizations, Sexual minority community and organizations and many sex workers including their organizations and sex worker children organization and Individuals Leaders and Activist were participated in the panel discussion.
Press meet: Many State wise, National and International media and press were present in the event. They reported and Articulated all the events nicely.
Rally: Rally started at 4.15pm from the college square and reached at Rani Raas Mani Avenue near Esplande at 5.15pm. After that some speeches had been given by the Hijra Guru (Mahua Guru), Sapna Gayan (FSW) from DMSC, Sujit Ram and Dilip Roy from Trinmool Congress and some Leaders and Activist of LGBTH who are working last many years for the rights of LGBTH. There were 165 members including community and non-community people attended this Rally. Rally was covered by the Police with the Special Branch nicely. Special request had been made by the ATHB to the Special Branch and LalBazar because some people who had given threat to some members of ATHB. We were expecting more participants in this Rally but MSM network of West Bengal had given strict instruction to all the staff to not attend the Event and Rally of “Transgender’s Day” (30th April, 2010).
Acknowledgement
We are very thankful to all the participants and others who because of some reason could not attend the Event but they support a lot by giving Donations, Ideas, Support, Appreciate and Technical Support.
1> Meena Seshu Saraswati ( Sangram, Sangli)
2> Sangama, Bangalore
3> Ashodaya, Karnatake
4> Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, Kolkata
5> Komal Gandhar, (D.M.S.C.) Kolkata
6> Amara Padatik, Kolkata
7> Anand Sharma (Savera, Delhi)
8> Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, FPA INDIA, Kolkata
9> Pawan Dhall
10>Amitava Sarkar
11>Nari-o-Shishu Kalyan Kendra, Howrah, West Bengal
12> Amitava Bhattasali, BBC World Service, Kolkata
13>Satya Sundar Mishra, SAKHA, Bhubaneshwar
14> Cine Nirvana Productions, Blackburn, Maleburn
15> Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
16> Astitva, Mumbai
17> Nandini (Cheshta), Uttar Pradesh
18> Pradipto Roy, (Animation Faculty, NID), Ahmedabad
19> Tarun Mukherjee, Advocate, Bankshall Court, Kolkata
20> Anirban Ghosh, (Student of NID), Ahmedabad
21> Ulka Nari Sangha, Demra (Dhaka), Bangladesh
22> Durjoy Nari Sangha, Mohammadpur (Dhaka), Bangladesh
23> Sauvik Sarkar, TV Media Personality and Short film maker, Kolkata
24> Dr. Rajtsubra Mukhopaddhaya, MBBS.DSC+DCIT+DNB-TRD,PAD, Kolkata
25> Pratap Sharma, Working for a Corporate sector, Chennai
26> Annie Raja, General Secretary of NFIW, Delhi
27> Anuradha Kapoor (Swayam, Kolkata)
28> Teerredes Hommes, Shanto Bakshi, Kolkata
29> Sujit and Dilip, Trinmool Congress, Kolkata
30> Binod Yadav, Sabuj Pata Club, Kolkata
31> Gokhale Sporting Club, Kolkata
32> Sauvik Ghosal, (Northern Black Rose, West Bengal)
33>Malini Bhattacharya, Women’s Commission, Kolkata
Special thanks to Pinki Banerjee (Bhaskar). She was not well but she Walked in the Rally which is really appreciated. She was the example of all the Transgenders/Hijras community who love the community more than her life.
To
The Director
UNDP
Greetings from ATHB (Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal)!
ATHB is going to organise a one day programme where from the morning we will have workshop on Capacity Building with the CBOs of different districts of West Bengal and in the evening we will have Award Function. In this function we will give Award to those people who really did something for the community like
1> Pinky Banerjee ( Bhaskar) : Pinky is basically from Hijra community and taking ART and few days before she was admitted to Hospital there she came to know she is not well and suffering from many diseases. Forcely she was admitted to the Male Deapartment because she is biologically male which Doctor confirmed after the physical test. Then after she was forced to wear Lungi which she denied. She wanted to wear Nighty ( which generally wear by female) but lots of objection came because she was in Male Department but after the lots of argument and request with the staff of Hospital they allowed her to wear Nighty. She was so sick even she could not walk properly but she came in the Rally of ” Transgender’s Day” which we had as a ” Black Day” on 30th Apil, 2010 in Kolkata and organised by the ATHB. First She walked little then she was sitting in the Rickshaw and atttend Rally from begining to end. This is the reason that we want to give this Bravery Awrad to her and which would be encourage her and others.
2> Mahua Guru: Mahua Guru is the Guru of Hijra Community (Gharana). Generally Hijra community do not allow anyone from their daiyaar should go to any organisations specially who talk about HIV/AIDS. If they will hear all this about anyone from their Hijra community then they will force her to give penalty and sometime they kick them out of their community. After all this Mahua Guru was present in the Porgramme of 30th April, 2010 from morning to evening and said many answers of the questions which had been asked by the public during the Panel Discussion. It is a History that any Hijra Guru attend such kind of programme. It is really great and this is the reason that we have decided that we will give this award to Mahua Guru also.
3> Sudip Chakraborty: Sudip is from Transgender community and working as a outreach worker in MANAS Bangla last few years. Sudip was forced to not come in this Rally otherwise she will be thrown out form the job. This threat has been given to all the staff of MANAS Bangla. All were scared and nobody came in the Rally but they all wished us through phone and said we are with you go ahead. But Sudip was the only one who did not care all this because she feels no any network is in West Bengal working on TG/Hijra and this is the first network who thinks about TG/Hijra only So, she decided that she will attend this programme by hook or crook. So, she came and attend this programme. After that when she went to her office (MANAS Bangla’s office) then she got one letter which was suspension letter for 15 days because she attended 30th April’s Rally. After that she did not sit silently and she had written one letter to us and asked help. We also forwarded that letter to you also but you did not do anything for her. This is the reason that we would also like to give this award to her also. Not only Sudip her family was also in the problem, tension and depression.
4> Vinita is a Transgender Sex workers who always says in the media and public about her sexuality and sex work. She is still strugling for her sexuality. She is thrown out from her house by the local goondas and clubs and she is staying in the red light area. We have decided that we will give her also this Award for the encouragement and her valuable time for the community.
5> Sappho is also working last many years in West Bengal.
Sappho’s Vision
Our vision is a society free of sexuality-based discriminations, where rights of the sexual minorities will be ensured.
Mission
The mission of our organization is to address the issues of sexually marginalized women in our society and to broaden the struggle for democracy for their equal rights, within the nation-state and beyond.
We have decided that these four individuals and one organisation is eligible for this Award for the self respect and recognition of the community.
We all know that still no one is working on TG/Hijra in West Bengal and now MANAS Bangla is scred that if Transgender would be separated then they will get less fund that is the reason that they are continously creating problem with us and as well as members of the support group also. Their staffs are who belong to their organisations they are going and doing their personal and organisational work but they are torturing our members. They all are in Trauma and in depression too.
This is the History that in West Bengal no any netwok is working with Transgenders/Hijras. ATHB is the first network who is working only with this community on their Violence. In West Bengal violence is increasing day by day not only by the society and police it is increasing by the community also like MANAS Bangla is doing. You go and asked them personally then you will come to know their feelings. They all are fade up with MANAS Bangla not only stafff Board members and network partners also fade up and need some changes.
UN is thinking about TG/Hijra this is enough for us but we feel now the time has come to do something for our community. So, we are taking this step for the betterment and encourage the community. Please think about it again positively.
This is again the request to you for the sake of all the Transgenders/Hijras in West Bengal. Please help and support us for this programme.
Regards
Ranjit Sinha and all the team of ATHB
Dear All Friends/Colleagues/Supporters
Greetings from ATHB (Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal)!
ATHB is going to Organize a one day programme where from the morning we will have workshop on Capacity Building with the CBOs of different districts of West Bengal and in the evening we will have Award Function. In this function we will give Award to those people who really did something for the community. This is the first Award Function in India where Transgender and Hijras would be Empower and Respect in the mainstream by getting this Award. There are many Award for many people like for sports man, Film maker, Business man and Women etc. but there is nothing for Transgenders/Hijras in India.
We are giving this Award to whom are as follows:
1> Pinky Banerjee ( Bhaskar) : Pinky is basically from Hijra community and PLHA and taking ART and few days before she was admitted to Hospital there she came to know she is not well and suffering from many diseases. Forcely she was admitted to the Male Deapartment forcefully because there are no Department for the Hijras. Then after she was forced to wear Lungi which she denied. She wanted to wear Nighty ( which generally wear by female) but lots of objection came because she was in Male Department but after the lots of argument and request with the staff of Hospital they allowed her to wear Nighty. She was so sick even she could not walk properly but she came in the Rally of ” Transgender’s Day” which we had as a ” Black Day” on 30th Apil, 2010 in Kolkata and organised by the ATHB. First She walked little then she was sitting in the Rickshaw and atttend Rally from begining to end. This is the reason that we want to give this Bravery Awrad to her
and which would be encourage her and she would be a example for others.
2> Mahua Guru: Mahua Guru is the Guru of Hijra Community (Gharana). Generally Hijra community do not allow anyone from their daiyaar should go to any organisations specially who talk about HIV/AIDS in West Bengal. If they will hear all this about anyone from their Hijra community then they will force her to give penalty and sometime they kick them out of their community. After all this, Mahua Guru was present in the Porgramme of 30th April, 2010 from morning to evening and said many answers of the questions which had been asked by the public during the Panel Discussion. It is a History that any Hijra Guru attend such kind of programme openly and interacted with the Media and Public. It is really great and this is the reason that we have decided that we will give this award to Mahua Guru also.
3> Sudip Chakraborty: Sudip is from Transgender community and working as a outreach worker in MSM Network last few years. Sudip was forced to not to attend in the Rally which was on 30th April, 2010 in Kolkata as a Transgender’s Day, otherwise she would be answerable to the that MSM Network. But Sudip was the only one who did not care all this because she feels no any network is in West Bengal working on Transgender/Hijra and this is the first network who thinks about TG/Hijra only So, she decided that she will attend this programme by hook or crook. So, she came and attend this programme. After that when she went to her office (MANAS Bangla’s office) then she got one letter which was suspension letter for 15 days because she attended 30th April’s Rally. After that she did not sit silently and she had written one letter to us and asked help. We also forwarded that letter to NACO and SAPCS also but they did not do anything for her. Such kind
of MSM network and People do not want that Transgenders/Hijras should get Recognition and Identity in the Society. This is the reason that we would also like to give this award to her also. Not only Sudip her family was also in the problem, tension and depression when Sudip got this Suspension letter. This Award would go to her Family member also who still encourage her for her Braveness.
4> Vinita is a Transgender Sex worker who always says in the media and public about her sexuality and sex work. She is still strugling for her sexuality. She is thrown out from her house by the local goondas and clubs and she is staying in the red light area. We have decided that we will give this Award to her also for the encouragement and her valuable time to the community. She help a ot to the other community whenever any community face any kind of problem.
5> Sappho is a organisation also working for last many years in West Bengal.
Sappho’s Vision:
Our vision is a society free of sexuality-based discriminations, where rights of the sexual minorities will be ensured.
Mission:
The mission of our organization is to address the issues of sexually marginalized women in our society and to broaden the struggle for democracy for their equal rights, within the nation-state and beyond.
6> Manabi Bandopadhayay: Manabi was earlier Somnath Bandhopadhyay as Transgender Activist. She had done many TV programmes and sensetizations programmes for the community. She changed her sex few years ago. She is a Lecturer of a College last many years. She introduced news megazine (Abo manab) first in West Bengal where problems and achievement were written about Transgenders and Hijras.
We have decided that these five individuals and one organisation is eligible for this Award for the self respect and recognition of the community in the Society.
In West Bengal no any other Network or Agency is working for Transgender/Hijra. Even they do not want to talk about these community. Male to Female Transgender or Female to Male Transgender they do not want to strength the community.
Regards
Ranjit Sinha and all the team of ATHB
Venue of the Award Function:
Bravery Award Function which is organising by ATHB on 5th June, 2010 on Saturday from 4pm to 5pm at DMSC (Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee) 5/A, Nilmoni Mitra Lane, Kolkata-700006.
Please feel free to contact me for any details:
9830027185
9830023153
Koshish is a community based organisation of LGBTH ( Lesbian g Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Hijra) in West Bengal but our office at Kolkata.
We are congratulating ATHB’s all the team for this wonderfull event.
Please give us address so that we can visit your office and practically witness all of the statements
Greetings from Scotland. Keep up the good work sisters.
I would like to join as a member from chennai, if anybody from chennai kindly drop me a mail
I would like to join as a member from chennai, if anybody from chennai kindly drop me a mail, tamil.1977@rediffmail.com
ATHB
PRESENTS
SUPPORTER AND ACHIEVER
AWARD
2010
Supported By:
UNDP, Delhi
Date: 20th November, 2010
Time: 6.30 onwards
Venue: Rotary Sadan Hall
94/2, Chowringhee Road,
Kolkata-700020
Objective of Supporting Award: Who helped our Transgenders and Hijras community without thinking of any benefit from the community and they really love Transgenders and Hijras community. They think that these communities should also get their identity and recognition in the society. When others people/public/society were discriminating us at that time these people and organizations were standing beside us.
We got many help from them and still getting. Just because of them we are breathing fresh air in the peaceful environment. Today section 377 has gone (still case is in the Supreme Court) just because of their wonderful effort. This encouragement will really help our community in future.
Goal: If we will give Award and Honor to these Individuals and Organizations then these people will be encourage and when they will be share all these with others then others Individuals and Organizations will also think to support our community. They will also start thinking of our community as we are doing with them. In future they will also support us in our movement.
Dear All Friends/Colleagues/Supporters/ Well wishers and Members
This is the first time in India that any Association of Transgender/Hijra is organizing is such kind of Award Function for the Achiever and Supporter.
You are also requested to attend this program. It will encourage our community to work in a positive way.
You can contact Sanjay Ram-9830023153 for more details.
Regards
Secretariat
ATHB ( Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal)
A VERY GOOD JOB — GO AHEAD — WE ARE WITH YOU.