LGBTQI people urge parties to be inclusive

Mumbai: A transgender activist from Kurla, Priya Patil, has urged all political parties to include the community in their manifestos.

Patil has also demanded that a well-functioning transgender welfare board be constituted, and that the community be provided education, healthcare and skills’ development, which leads to employment.

Patil said that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community is the most neglected during elections and demanded that political parties keep empowerment for this community in their manifestos.

Patil demanded that the ruling parties focus on their issues and try to meet their basic demands.

Madhuri Sarode-Sharma (40), a resident of Kalyan, said, “It’s an utter shame that we are fighting for our birth rights. We are not treated like human beings, let alone employment.”