Impact of COVID-19 on Transgender Women & Hijra: Insights from Gujarat, India

Abstract

Protecting vulnerable populations from COVID-19 pandemic is a strategic imperative particularly considering they are at an increased risk for a wide range of issues. Based on the telephonic interview with twelve transgender women from Gujarat, India, this paper highlights the vulnerability factors for transgender individuals during a world-wide pandemic. Amongst others, transgender community members who struggle to cope financially, mentally, or physically with the crisis are also a vulnerable group that requires attention. Authors discuss key perspectives to meet the health needs of this group. Findings also offer broad insights into bolstering mental health, provisioning and encouraging availing psychological services in addition to essential healthcare services. It is critically important to address this population’s special needs during public health crisis such as COVID 19 and beyond. More studies are needed in this area to illuminate unique considerations for healthcare workers while providing care to this important group.

Life in a pandemic: intersectional approach exploring experiences of LGBTQ during COVID-19

“…The life state of Indian LGBTQ+ community during COVID-19 is highlighted during the coronavirus pandemic in few studies. Most of such studies were focused on transgenders and emphasised on addressal of their unique needs amid COVID-19 (Pandya & Redcay, 2020;Sifat, 2020). This study is perhaps the only study that constitutes a sample of Table 1.…”

“…This discrimination forces the homosexuals to live undercover and belong to hidden societies (Banerjee & Nair, 2020;Dasgupta et al, 2020;Gangoli, 2020). Even sexual minorities fear availing healthcare services because of discrimination and improper treatment and facilities at health centres ((Subhankar et al, 2020;Pandya & Redcay, 2020). The triangulation of access to justice, health care, and the fear of social segregation works against and widens the social and structural inequalities and expose sexual minorities to greater risk during COVID-19 (Banerjee & Nair, 2020;Gaillard et al, 2017;Pandya & Redcay, 2020;Ryan et al, 2009;Salerno, Williams et al, 2020).…”

“…The mental health burden of being socially oppressed and mentally depressed is already high in LGBTQ+ (Salerno, Devadas et al, 2020b;Salerno, Williams et al, 2020). The psychological toll was further compounded by socio-economic constraints arising from COVID-19, lockout, inadequate access to mental health services and an unfavourable home setting (Fish et al, 2020;Moen et al, 2020;Pandya & Redcay, 2020).…”

“…The mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and the extreme morbidity like suicidal tendencies aggravated in LGBTQ community because of isolation and loneliness (Green et al, 2020;Pandya & Redcay, 2020). Words and phrases like "crying", "lonely", "depressed", "panic attack" was common through the interviews of every participant.…”

“…Life in COVID-19: physical symptoms of poor health and wellbeing A participant described common symptoms like improper sleep or too much sleep, poor eating habits, lethargy, no physical exercise or workout routine. These physical symptoms are mainly because of poor health and eroded wellbeing that LGBTQ in general and working-class gays, in particular, experienced during lockdown period of COVID-19 (Fish et al, 2020;Pandya & Redcay, 2020). Physical symptoms of poor health and wellbeing are more visible in LGBTQ+ community people than the general population because sexual minorities are more exposed to mental health issues and societal discrimination.…”