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I accepted to hold a seminar for the students of Socialogy in Farook college, Calicut, Kerala on 19th November. My seminar on the topic of Transgenders was a very successful one. When I entered the college, I was looked upon by groups and groups of students as 'someone abnormal' or rather as a mutant from the other world. Quite funny it was how the students starred at me in groups. Lots of giggles, hisses and laughter. That was all amusing to me.. Just how these beautiful students have been brought up by our closed conservative attitudes and teachings of our society. I only smiled because I hope they will change. 
When I entered the seminar hall, I was amazed. Not only were there more muslim girls in the hall but there were students from other departments as well. Boys in particular to have a 'darshan' :). I spoke to students about my life and personal experience and transitioning to womenhood. The girls were not only very keen to know transgender related issues, they were questioning me a lot about lesbian and gay issues as well. I spoke to them about the trauma and pain a transgender person goes through in life, she/he as a person, in the family and in the society. If the society is conservative, it is an unbearable hell for a transperson. At the end of the session, I was so much touched by the warmth, understanding and love of the students. I was happy that they had understood transgender life issues completely. They wouldn't tease a transgender anymore, I know. I hope. The students, staff and principal - they all treated me well and it was a great experience. After the seminar, I attended the 'Meet the Press' programme initiated by my friend and media person Sudhir Devdas. There were almost 30 press people and 4-5 television cameramen as well all ready to capture me. The press session was more than an hour and I made sure that nothing was missed out. I am happy that all the press had covered my interview on transgendered issues so well the next day. All newspapers carried my speech. Local channels aired my interview the same day. Manorama News TV and Jaihind TV did a special programme I heard. http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/20 08112052240300.htm" title="http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/20 08112052240300.htm" target="_blank"http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/... 
What is more important to me was the initiatives for acceptance of transgenders in Kerala. Sexual minorities should be accepted and treated as anyother person. No discrimination should exist because a person has a different sexual orientation or a gender identity.
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