Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai offers admission to transgender student, tuition fee waived.

In a first among colleges for women to take the initiative, the admission was formalised after the college authorities handed over a letter to the student on Wednesday, the institution said.

Talking to The Hindu, Shivin expressed happiness on being offered admission to a course of her choice. “If opportunity presents itself, I will want to continue to study further,” she said.

She added that within days of submitting the application, she got a call from the college authorities. “She approached us on her own. Normally, this community does not receive an encouraging treatment from our society. I wanted to ensure that due respect was given to the person,” said V.M. Muralidharan, Chairman, Ethiraj College for Women.

The Chairman spoke with the student and learnt about her transition from her assigned gender (male) to female during her school days and the trauma she had underwent.

“We are giving her a chance and we hope that this would encourage more persons from the community to seek higher education, Mr. Muralidharan maintained.

The college has waived her tuition fee.

Shivin had completed her Class 12 in 2022 at Bodinayakanoor in Theni district following which she left home and stayed with members of the transgender community in Coimbatore for a year. She then moved to Chennai and has been living with two other members of the community.

“I don’t work. Here, my amma and aunty take care of me,” Shivin remarked, explaining that she was being supported by her adoptive mother from the community. “My amma works in the IT sector,” she added.

Mr. Muralidharan said that the faculty of the college too, were supportive and were willing to take up responsibility to ensure that she was successful.

Shivin added that she has been associated with Sahodaran, a community-based organisation that supports transgender and LGBTQIA+ individuals. She has also been part of Thozhi, a non-profit working for the welfare of transgender persons.