Transgenders participate in beauty contest

To drive home the point that they too are confident and good looking, several transgenders participated in 'Miss Koovagam" beauty contest displaying their fashion statement.
"This Miss Koovagam contest is one of the events that are organised on the occasion of the annual function we organise," said the top organising member of the Transgenders community here.
Several members of the transgender community hailing from various parts of the country began descending at Arulmigu Koothandavar Temple at Koovagam near here for taking part in the cultural festival.
Cultural shows including skits on awareness of AIDS by the transgenders were held earlier to mark the four-day festival that ends on Wednesday, a transgender said.

"Earlier there was not enough support from the government for us. But after 2004 transgenders were getting the basic rights in order to meet the daily demand. We celebrate this festival every year during this month. One of the highlights is, you can see the unity among us during the festival", one of the transgenders, Aruna said.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva who arrived here was felicitated by the transgenders for piloting a private member's bill in seeking to protect their rights, which was passed by the Upper House last month.
Noted personalities including dance master Kala and Actor Vimal also participated in the festival.