The Movement Acceleration Project will create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ communities to access medical counseling.
Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) announced the Movement Acceleration Project for the medical betterment of LGBTQIA+ community.
Dr. Sharada Nasimath, the President of FPAI, Bangalore spoke at a press conference today, “The focus is on overcoming these issues and spread awareness around these in the society.”
She added, “Medical counselling has always been a difficult path to take for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. FPAI’s pilot project aims to address mental health and SRH (Sexual Reproduction Health) issues, and bring them into the mainstream.”
Gender bias and sexual freedom for all genders should be acknowledged, said Dr. Nasimath. Akkai Padmashali, a transgender activist said that people should understand that it is not wrong to be a gender minority.”. There is a lack of professionals in the medical industry to cater to the LGBTQIA+ community, she said adding that there was an immediate requirement to implement the Karnataka Transgender Policy, 2017.
“There is a lot of hesitation mainly with the female section of the community. There face atrocities like physical and mental violence. This has to end. We have to sensitize to their needs and understand them,” Dr. Akkai added.
She further said that the press meeting was for awareness around the identity of this group in the society. In 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) said transgenders are equal citizens in society.
Dr. R. Rajesh, professor at Department of Sociology, Bangalore university said that people who identify themselves as a part of LGBTQIA+ community face a lot of pressure from family and society to come out and talk about their sexuality. This results in depression and suicidal thoughts amongst them.
“I think this is a good initiative from FPAI as it is trying to create awareness among the citizens and the people in the community,” he said.
