Transgender Shelter Homes Teeter On Closure During Pride Month

In 2021, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment initiated 13 pilot shelter homes known as ¡°Garima Greh¡± for transgender persons. The Covid-19 pandemic hindered the smooth functioning of one of the Garima Greh homes in Manipur, but the remaining 12 shelter homes were successfully established in nine states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. These shelter homes were set up under the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme in accordance with The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

The scheme allocated ?365 crores over a span of five years, providing each Garima Greh with a yearly grant of ?36,46,500. However, the funds have not been released by the centre since March 2022. As a result, several Garima Greh have faced closure or are on the verge of shutting down. The Garima Greh in Mumbai has urgently appealed for funds on an online crowd-funding platform.

Transmen¡¯s dormitory at the Garima Greh now remains closed / Indiatimes

Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh¡¯s programme manager Bella Sharma has also informed of the lack of funds, resulting in the closure of the transmen¡¯s dormitory. Amidst this challenging situation, Krishna Singh, a 27-year-old trans man, and a resident of Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh, finds himself grappling with the circumstances.

Krishna Singh in the Transwomen¡¯s dormitory at Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh / Indiatimes

Singh left his home in 2014 and came to Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh in 2021. ¡°There was only one reason: unacceptance from my family, who wanted me to live how I was born. I couldn¡¯t 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 as he returns after a long day of work / Indiatimes

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In Singh¡¯s case, Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh played a crucial role in helping him discover his true identity. ¡°The dawning that similar people with similar problems exist in a world which accepts us the way we are was ecstatic¡­ It was only after I came to Garima Greh that I learnt I¡¯m a trans man. Soon, I picked up the technicalities of the LGBTQIA+ community,¡± he expressed.

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Garima Greh, under the SMILE scheme empowers the residents through skill development and enhancement programmes, enabling them to secure sustainable employment. However, due to the lack of funds, it has been a task to keep such programmes running. Despite this, Rudrani Chhetri, the project director of Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh, has reassured the residents of her commitment to keep this shelter home operational. ¡°At a time when it can barely keep a person for a day, she [Rudrani] has withheld us all. She even promised that no matter how many Garima Grehs across the country shut down, she won¡¯t let this one follow suit,¡± said Singh.

Singh shows photos from past events and celebrations at the Garima Greh / Indiatimes

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Nonetheless, the fear of closure looms over Singh and other residents of Garima Greh. Singh expressed his concerns stating, ¡°not a [single] fund penny has come in the last one-and-a-half year. It is Rudrani ma¡¯am running it all¡­She¡¯s the force behind the sustenance. The government merely paid us lip service.¡±

Singh likes to workout but lack of funds have led to the shutting down of the gym / Indiatimes

He fears that if Delhi¡¯s Garima Greh shuts down, it will significantly impact his life and the lives of many others like him, leaving them without avenues for empowerment and forcing them to live a life devoid of dignity.

Entrance to the main office space of Garima Greh / Indiatimes

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¡°A trans woman can make money via other means, she can join the toli, but a trans man has nothing but his job. Our body build is the same. We have to endure obscene, repetitive questions. Even our parents would throw us an ¡®I-told-you-so.¡¯¡±

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For more stories on the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in India, keep reading Spectrum on Indiatimes.