INCLUSION & DIVERSITY | SANA SUMAN | TEDxVydehiSchool

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Suman's Identity and Advocacy

Suman, a trans woman and advocate, challenges societal stereotypes and asserts her identity as a proud woman.
She highlights the struggles faced by transgenders, including discrimination, violence, and lack of opportunities.

Suman describes her personal journey, including engaging in sex work and later transitioning to community journalism.
She emphasizes the importance of respecting transgender identities and using appropriate pronouns.

Suman mentions her involvement in legal advocacy, including filing a petition in the Supreme Court to amend Section 377 and achieve equal rights for transgenders.
She highlights the significance of the 2015 and 2018 Supreme Court judgments that decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships and recognized the third gender status.

Suman stresses the importance of providing equal privileges and opportunities to transgenders and highlights her role in drafting the Karnataka State Policy in 2017 to ensure basic rights and education for the transgender community.
She discusses the lack of reservation for the transgender community in education and employment opportunities in Bangalore University and the Karnataka government.

The speaker emphasizes the need for awareness and sensitization about transgender identities to dispel misconceptions and promote inclusion.
They share their personal journey of overcoming societal barriers and achieving success through education and employment.
The speaker advocates for the rights of the transgender community, including the right to marriage, adoption, and property rights.
They call for the creation of gender-neutral toilets in institutions to support gender non-conforming individuals.
The speaker stresses the importance of practicing diversity and inclusion in corporate companies and institutions, and encourages more transgender speakers to share their experiences on platforms like TEDx.
They urge society to stop using derogatory terms and instead use respectful and dignified language when referring to transgender individuals.