Arya Nirmal J, a third-year English literature student is spearheading a campaign to sensitize the campus on gender, sexuality and queer rights at the Government College for Women (GCW), Thiruvananthapuram. The two-year-long efforts of Arya and the seniors bore fruit with the launch of a queer collective in the college on Wednesday.

From the pride march orgazined by the queer collective of the Government Women's college (GWC), Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram on Valentine's Day. Photo: Special Arrangement
From the pride march orgazined by the queer collective of the Government Women's college (GWC), Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram on Valentine's Day. Photo: Special Arrangement

Taking a cue from the Government College, Chittur, GCW has launched the second Queer Collective in a Government Arts and Science College in Kerala and has become the first women's college in the state to start such an initiative.

Arya Nirmal J
Arya Nirmal J. Photo: Special Arrangement
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"Right from the onset we faced questions about the need for this collective. We started off as an informal Whatsapp group including some of our seniors and we are glad that it has turned into a collective. A college usually has film clubs and literary clubs, but this collective has a much broader objective. Our initial proposals were rejected because of various concerns. Our college hosted a transgender skill awareness programme this year and it was organised by the Knowledge Economy mission. They enquired about student coordinators and it paved the way for this collective. Our Principal Anuradha V K has been extremely supportive," said Arya Nirmal.

The collective has already set the ball rolling with a video expressing solidarity for a campaign being hosted by the Government College, Chittur, in Kerala's Palakkad district.

From the launch of a queer collective at the Government Women's college (GWC), Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram on Valentine's Day. Photo: Special Arrangement
From the launch of a queer collective at the Government Women's college (GWC), Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram on Valentine's Day. Photo: Special Arrangement
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“Our aim is to provide a safe space for the queer community on our campus. If we could bring at least one new admission from the transgender community next year to this campus, we would be happy. We also plan to associate with NGOs working on gender sexuality awareness. Coming out is not an easy thing, but if we could ensure a place where they feel comfortable to open up, that would be really helpful,” said Arya.

Shyama S Prabha (Member, Kerala State Transgender Justice Board, Gen. Secretary, Democratic Transgender Federation of Kerala) inaugurated the collective. As part of Mazhavillu-Transgender sensitization program by the District Social Justice Department Thiruvananthapuram, Shakhiya S Priyamvada interacted with students. The collective already has 105 members. Maya Madhavan, Gender justice forum, GCW is co-ordinating the activities of the collective.

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