Transwoman alleges humiliation at private school job interviews

A transwoman teacher has alleged that she was 'humiliated' by two famous schools in Kolkata during job interviews.

Hiranmay Dey, who underwent a sex-reassignment surgery in the middle of last year to become Suchitra Dey, alleged that one of the private schools asked about the reason behind her transformation and her chances of conception. 

A double Masters in English and geography, Dey claimed that she had been teaching for the past 10 years at private school, where the students and her colleagues 'love' and 'respect' her. 

"I appeared for the interviews because I wanted to do give a fillip to my career. At one of the interviews, minutes after I objected to the questions that were being asked, I was told that I won't get through," she said.

A member of a LGBT forum in West Bengal, Dey has written to West Bengal Human Rights Commission, seeking its intervention in the matter.

"I wish the human rights commission takes measures to stop the discrimination of transgender people at job interviews. I am waiting for a response," she said.

A spokesperson at Transgender Development Board in West Bengal, said the matter would be taken up for discussion.

"Dey has informed us about her experiences. We will take up the issue and decide what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in future."

The Supreme Court had recognised transgenders as a 'third gender' in 2014. Earlier, they had to write 'male' or 'female' against their gender.

The principals of the two schools, when approached by PTI, denied that any such interview was conducted by them.

"We haven't received any CV from a teacher bearing either the name Hiranmoy or Suchitra. There had been no such interviews either. And we have no reservations against any third gender person," one of the principals said.

At the other school, the authorities declined Dey's allegations and said they had no record of such interview.

(With inputs from agencies)