Kolkata transgenders stage a protest against discrimination

Kolkata, May 1 (ANI): Members of transgender community took to the streets on Friday to voice their plight against discrimination by the society and other stigmas.

Under the banner of Rista, a forum of transgenders, they took out the rally raising slogans.

They mentioned that 30 April is being observed by them as a Black Day to draw the attention of the society and also the powers-that-be.

They demanded that the government should do more to ensure better health, education and living standards for the community.

"It is really a Black Day for the whole community, which is facing a lot of violence and discrimination from the society. We are demanding for our rights, for our health, for our education, for the fundamental rights of the transgender all over India," said Santosh Kumar Giri, Secretary of Kolkata Rista.

The transgenders in India number up to a million and are among the most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infection due to lack of proper awareness. (ANI)