“On my first day of work at High Court, the judge Venkateshappa V, under whom I was working, called all the court staff and told them to treat me equally and see me just like any other person. He even told them that he would send them a notice if he got to know that I was being ill-treated,” recalled Madhu, a 25-year-old transgender woman.
She is among those transgender persons who have availed the 1% reservation given to them in government jobs. Karnataka was the first State in the country to notify a 1% reservation in government jobs for transgender persons, in 2021. Two years down the lane, transgenders who have availed themselves of these jobs are happy with the progressive work environment at government offices while the majority of third gender persons still struggle to apply or secure these jobs.
Madhu now works as an attender under another judge at Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru. She spoke about how she was never laughed at or given excess work on purpose in any workspace. She was always assured that her transgender identity would not be highlighted to the public without any reason or her consent. She tells how work is more important to the public and her employer than her gender.
