Soon, a talent platform for Kolkata's LGBT community

KOLKATA: They have dancers, they have writers, they have singers and they also have actors -all they lack is a stage to showcase their talents. But, thanks to Shree Ghatak Muhury, her peers in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community will finally get a platform.

“There are many amongst us who are immensely talented but are denied opportunities, jobs for belonging to the LGBT community.We are trying to bring these talents out in the open,“ said Muhury, a 23-year-old member of the community. Muhury is also one of the first transwomen who legally got married earlier this year.

Muhury, along with two others,will launch their platform, tentatively named Troyee, this February. “We are hoping to create an alternate career path for them,“ Muhury said.

Apart from conducting stage shows, producing films, and holding exhibitions, Troyee will also guide members to find financial aid and assistance to pursue their dreams. “Many take to prostitution or other means to fund sex change surgeries which are very expensive. We want to help these people to earn money the right way,“ said Tista Das, another founding member of Troyee.

The team will approach the state's Transgender Development Board headed by Sashi Panja, minister of women and child welfare development, for help. “We will also request the government to help us to organise shows. If need be, we will also meet the chief minister as she has always been supportive of anything related to culture,“ said Muhury.