Transperson takes poll plunge, asked to vacate by AIADMK landlord

“I was living in a rented house at Mandaveli near BSNL telephone exchange for the last three years. On Sunday, the house owner, an AIADMK member, asked me why I wanted to contest in the polls and told me I have to vacate. I broke down as it is not an easy task to find a rented house here, especially for someone like me,” Radha told DT Next.

Radha said she decided to contest in the polls to highlight problems faced by trans persons. “It is very difficult for a trans person to pursue education and find a job. Moreover, in a city like Chennai, it is impossible to find an accommodation,” she said.

Radha, who works as a house maid said that even though she had has an Masters degree in English, she was always denied a job. She said through election, she wants to bring about a change in the people’s mindst about trans persons. She also thanked the late DMK chief M Karunanidhi for coining the term “Thirunagaigal” after which people started respecting them.

After campaigning for votes in Mylapore and Mandaveli, she said she garnered good response from the people. She also promised to fight for basic amenities including drinking water for the people. She added also that women’s safety would also be on her priority list.