Thrissur trans man’s pursuit for re-issued certificates removes another hurdle for the LGBTQ+ community
The Hindu
It has, prompted the Higher Education department to direct universities and higher education institutions to reissue degrees, mark lists and other documents that incorporated the new identity of transgender people.
A 27-year old trans man’s battle for re-issued degree certificates that reflected his identity has brought a landmark victory for the LGBTQ+ community. Thrissur native P.R. Raghav’s struggle to obtain modified academic credentials turned out to be an indicator of the systemic inertia that affected the section in a State that takes pride in being the first to adopt a transgender policy. It has, however, prompted the Higher Education department to direct universities and higher education institutions to reissue degrees, mark lists and other documents that incorporated the new identity of transgender people. These will have to be reissued with the changed name “without mentioning that it is a re-issued certificate”, the order stated, adding that the Statues should be amended if necessary.Hampi, the UNESCO-recognised historical site, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 to 1565. Foreign travellers from Persia, Europe and other parts of the world have chronicled the wealth of the place and the unique cultural mores of this kingdom built on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. There are fine descriptions to be found of its temples, farms, markets and trading links, remnants of which one can see in the ruins now. The Literature, architecture of this era continue inspire awe.
Unfurling the zine handed to us at the start of the walk, we use brightly-coloured markers to draw squiggly cables across the page, starting from a sepia-toned vintage photograph of the telegraph office. Iz, who goes by the pronouns they/them, explains, “This building is still standing, though it shut down in 2013,” they say, pointing out that telegraphy, which started in Bengaluru in 1854, was an instrument of colonial power and control. “The British colonised lands via telegraph cables, something known as the All Red Line.”
The festival in Bengaluru is happening at various locations, including ATREE in Jakkur, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur, Courtyard Koota in Kengeri, and Medai the Stage in Koramangala. The festival will also take place in various cities across Karnataka including Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.