Spirituality of Transgender Poplulaton: Sai Sandhya for MSM

[Guest guest]

The Other Side: ‘Sai Sandhya’ for MSM.

Behind make-up, style, fashion & sexuality there lies an unmasked face, a lonely

heart, ridiculed, abused and depressed longing for love and acceptance.

While most ‘Kothies’ and Transgender have a spiritual side and very secular in

faith, it was observed that many are believers of ‘Sai Baba’ cutting across

personal faith and religions.

Working on HIV prevention with MSM & TG we tend to forget that the so called

‘HRGs’ are more than our targets whose needs are much more than STIs and HIV

prevention related services. While we like to mainstream our projects/programmes

with various ministries and departments, we also need to put some extra efforts

towards reducing phobia and further marginalization of our ‘target population’

and mainstream them with the general society.

Keeping this in mind a ‘Sai Sandhya’ with Sufi Qawalli was organized by SPACE

organization at its DIC to mobilize the MSM community and bring about Behaviour

Change in the context of health and wellbeing through spirituality, moving away

a little bit from HIV and AIDS that stigmatize the community so often.

Many were surprised, some were shocked, some raised eyebrows and many felt happy

and highly appreciated that such initiatives can be taken by NGOs that mostly

speak about HIV & AIDS & Condoms etc.

It was an innovative concept and for the first time that such a spirituality

based event was organized by any organization working with MSM and Transgender

individuals on HIV/AIDS.

The response was tremendous and surpassed all expectations. Hundreds of MSM of

all typology cutting across personal faith, conflicts and breaking all power

structures gathered at the ‘Sai Sandhya’ and listened to Sufi Qawallis with an

utter devotion never seen before.

Tears welled up in many eyes and some started dancing and clapping in ecstasy on

songs and ‘Bhajans’ that spoke of love and attachment with the almighty.

Just at the end of the programme, a short talk was delivered by the organizers

on health and general well being.

Each had millions of thanks on their lips while leaving and had their Prasada

with much devotion.

SPACE sincerely thanks the Delhi State AIDS Control Society for supporting the

initiative.

SPACE-

Society for People’s Awareness, Care & Empowerment

Project – ‘Delhi Dost’

E-31, Majnu Ka Tila, Civil Lines

Delhi-54

spaceorganisation@...

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