Celeb transgender gets gymkhana boot: Violation of Human rights & Discrimination

[Guest guest]

Celeb transgender gets gymkhana boot

Deepak Lokhande/ Mumbai, April 5, 2010. India Today, India

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a transgender, had no problem receiving an

invitation to work for human rights issues at the United Nations.

However, she wasn't as lucky when it came to the snooty Bombay

Gymkhana that boasts memberships of Mumbai's rich and famous.

Late on Friday, when Laxmi arrived at the Bombay Gymkhana, she was

rudely told that she was " unwelcome " and hence could not walk the

famed lawns of the 135-year-old institution.

" I was invited as a speaker at a function hosted by the Mumbai branch

of an international network that deals with science and technology. I

went there at 9 pm and was stopped at the gates. Later, the hosts

stepped out and took me inside. I was talking to a few people and my

speech was yet to start, " Laxmi said.

" An hour later, the gymkhana CEO Brigadier (retd) R.K. Bose walked in

and told the hosts that I was not welcome at the Bombay Gymkhana. It

was so humiliating, " Laxmi, who was a celebrity guest on Salman Khan's

hit game show Dus Ka Dum, said.

As an argument ensued between the organisers and the CEO, the hosts

were allegedly told that they could lose their membership if Laxmi

remained at the function. The waiting period for the members of the

gymkhana runs into years and the membership fee is said to be very

high. And the club has seen controversy before. Women were kept away

from the club's membership till early this century.

" I understand this is the same club that used to have a board reading

'Indians and dogs are not allowed' during the British era. The board

doesn't exist now, but the mentality hasn't changed. I am an honoured

and distinguished citizen. The gymkhana authorities have violated my

basic human rights, " Laxmi, whose passport reads " Indian, female " ,

said.

She said this was the first incident in which she was discriminated

against because of her sexuality.

" I have been to all the posh institutions in Mumbai - the Taj, the

Sheratons, the Grand Maratha and the Jehangir Art Gallery. But never

was I asked to leave. After the incident, I went to this lounge Bluer

Frog where at least 1,000 guests were present. They all gave me a

standing ovation after my speech, " she said.

Laxmi, who is often seen with actor and activist Celina Jaitley, is

now planning to lodge a complaint against the gymkhana officials at

the local police station.

" She has received a large number of calls and SMSes supporting her in

her fight against the bias. Celina (Jaitley) has not only pledged

support but will also write to the state and National Human Rights

Commission. Actor Ravi Kissen also called up to say he supported Laxmi

on the issue, " Laxmi's associate said.

Laxmi said the club authorities have not apologised to her for the incident.

" I heard they have offered an apology. But to whom? They have insulted

me. I have received no message, no letter and no telephone call. But I

am really touched by the support I have received from others. I'll

lodge a complaint on Monday, if I don't receive an apology by then, "

she said.

A postgraduate, Laxmi will be the first transgender to represent her

community at the United Nations and work for human rights issues. She

usually works for social causes in her community.

India Today Group. .

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Indiainfo.com, India

Celina Jaitely stands up for transgender

Published: Monday, April 05, 2010 16:19 [iST]

Source: Indiainfo

Celina Jailtey has always been the fore-runner in support of gay and

transgender and is presently mad at Bombay Gymkhana so much so that

she has urged people on the micro-blogging site to boycott the

Gymkhana in her tweet that says, “BOYCOTT BOMBAY GYM Page.” And when

this was not enough she also reminds the twittering crowd in her

subsequent tweet that apparently it is the same club where during the

British rule it used to be written outside " Indians and dogs not

allowed”. She seems to be not letting this go easily and has been

tweeting on and on against all those who were behind humiliating Laxmi

Narayan Tripathi(an activist for transgender) at an event by asking

her to leave.

--

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