Transgender Entrepreneurs

1. TRANSGENDER ENTREPRENEURS : AN ANALYSIS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COIMBATORE
DISTRICT
A Dissertation submitted to
Manonmanium Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of the degree of
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
IN
COMMERCE
Submitted by
LUBNA SURAIYA MOHAMED HUMMER
( Register No. 16MFC06)
Dr. F.X. ROBERT BELLARMINE, Ph.D
Guide & Supervisor
PG & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
St. XAVIER’S COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)
PALAYAMKOTTAI – 627 002
JUNE - 2017

2. INTRODUCTION
Profession as commercial sex solicitors is a label attached to transgenders. Gender dysphoria paved a way
for social stigmatization of trans-community that has led to a number of issues which ostracized this smallest group having the
largest risk. Often, surrounded with misinformation about transgender subject these people are not well understood by the
general population due to the lack of awareness and knowledge. The struggles and the barriers in their lives are becoming
challenging and are more aware about their current positions in the social order by refining their status in society and
benchmarking new standards by breaking the stereotype. Economic structure is very dynamic and extremely competitive due to
the rapid creation of new firms and exit of stagnant and declining firms. Risk taking ability, self-confidence, decision making,
sophisticated technology, economic motivation, market orientation, etc. are the indicators of an entrepreneur. The continuous
synergy to search for new ideas makes real success for an entrepreneur by stimulating the equitable distribution of wealth,
income and induces the backward and forward linkages for economic development. Many transgender people experience a
period of identity development which includes better understanding of their self-image, self-reflection, and self-expression.
Transgender entrepreneurs started their business with a vision towards accomplishing their goals by being strong-willed and
never let pessimism come their way and have proved currently worth than ordinary masses. They have engrossed themselves as
a platform for economic progression and there seems to be a significant increase in the prospects of transgender entrepreneurs.

3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Transgender people are subjected to multi-faceted inconveniences based solely on their gender identity towards rife
discrimination, denial of family, fear of rejection and isolation, property risks, school drop outs, unemployment, physical brutal
assaults, sexual harassment, depressions, democratic deficits, politically disfranchised, social annoyance, economic
marginalization, security issues, human rights violations, victims of civic and basic amenities, health hazards, alcoholic
influence, arrest on false allegations, penectomy, associated with HIV, hormone pill and drug abuse, homelessness, problems
relating to marriage and adoption, disavowal of electoral rights, non-obtaining of government credentials or surety and meager
aid from government etc. Society often ridicules the transgender community in public places like railway stations, bus stands,
schools, workplaces, malls, theatres, hospitals. There is a need to establish link between transgender people and common
populace in order to facilitate the empowerment of transgender in the new millennium as they are sidelined. The current and
future generation of researchers should not face any transphobic attitudes and must not carry any misconceptions about them.
Having being demoralized in all these aspects, the spirit to sustain their living independently have proved their exceptional
caliber by amalgamating talent, hard work, dedication and urge to envision their community. This initiated the researcher to
evaluate their status, structuring high profile of transgender entrepreneurs in attainment of a missionary zeal and economic
assurance in forth coming years.

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The study has the following objectives.
1. To study the socio-economic profile of the Transgender Entrepreneurs.
2. To identify the factors influencing the transgender to become an entrepreneur.
3. To study the financial soundness of transgender entrepreneurs after entering into entrepreneurial venture.
4. To examine the problems encountered by transgender entrepreneurs and offer suggestion to overcome the
problems.

5. METHODOLOGY
Pre- Study : Pilot Study was conducted from November 2016 – December 2016
Reliability of Questionnaire : Cronbach’s Alpha is 0.899
Data Collection Technique : Interview Schedule
Sample Technique : Simple Random Sampling Method
Area of Study : Coimbatore
Association : Coimbatore District Transgender Welfare Association
Total Transgender : 365
Transgender Entrepreneurs : 150
Sample Size : n = 110
Determination of Sample : Morgan Table
Questionnaire : Likert Five Point Scaling Technique
Tools Used : 1. Percentage Analysis 2. Factor Analysis
3. ANOVA 4. Garrett Ranking
Research Gap : No studied found on TG Entrepreneurs

6. Variables Components Communalities
1 2 3 4
Social Identification .054 -.007 .019 .691 .481
Based on experience .382 .221 .741 .295 .831
Responsible to society -.332 .257 .750 .111 .751
Re-invent the idea .577 .127 .131 .293 .452
Positioning entrepreneurial strategy .781 .249 -.043 .028s .675
Multiple role and Multi-tasking .209 .738 -.089 -.091 .604
Prove worth than ordinary masses .161 -.006 -.122 .759 .616
Choosing target customers .208 .749 -.064 .100 .618
Life time mentor .571 .257 .361 .108 .534
Eigen Values 1.862 1.497 1.179 1.025
% of Variance 20.684 16.635 13.098 11.387
FACTOR LOADINGS AND EXTRACTION FOR THE
ROTATED FACTORS OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING
TRANSGENDER ENTREPRENEURS
Variables
Components
Communalities1 2 3 4
Social Identification
.054 -.007 .019 .691 .481
Based on experience
.382 .221 .741 .295 .831
Responsible to society
-.332 .257 .750 .111 .751
Re-invent the idea
.577 .127 .131 .293 .452
Positioning entrepreneurial strategy
.781 .249 -.043 .028s .675
Multiple role and Multi-tasking
.209 .738 -.089 -.091 .604
Prove worth than ordinary masses
.161 -.006 -.122 .759 .616
Choosing target customers
.208 .749 -.064 .100 .618
Life time mentor
.571 .257 .361 .108 .534
Eigen Values
1.862 1.497 1.179 1.025
% of Variance
20.684 16.635 13.098 11.387

7. Variables Components Communalities
1 2 3 4 5 6
Depression and Suicidal attempt -.017 .107 .121 .099 .912 .060 .872
Unable to do SRS -.082 .022 .148 .091 .912 .105 .881
Lack in modernization -.077 .189 .817 .257 .094 -.008 .785
No idea on government assistance .027 .194 .891 .170 .100 .100 .881
Dearth on insurance policy -.067 .303 .815 .083 .154 .209 .836
Unaware of market conditions .096 .896 .207 .117 .090 .146 .899
Limited promotional viability .040 .915 .198 .102 .036 .178 .921
Brand and quality competence .010 .875 .233 .143 .037 .114 .854
Fear of initiativeness .027 .199 .166 .077 .067 .874 .843
Bureaucracy issues -.028 .181 .060 .185 .103 .847 .799
Insufficient planning -.050 .093 .166 .810 .145 .002 .716
Hygienic factor -.081 .071 .215 .857 .025 .188 .829
Frequent Mobility -.014 .156 .076 .844 .038 .104 .755
Working with common people .867 .072 -.073 -.054 .116 -.039 .780
Alliances and negotiations .917 .040 .035 -.063 .024 -.137 .867
Art of living .891 .110 -.034 .017 .032 -.131 .826
Land Allocation .866 .043 -.061 -.067 -.058 .039 .765
Autonomy and power .875 -.063 .295 .010 -.088 .118 .791
Diversifying business
.814 -.043 .007 -.030 -.179 .133 .716
Eigen Values
5.219 4.609 1.723 1.568 1.364 1.132
% of Variance
27.496 24.257 9.071 8.251 7.177 5.957
FACTOR LOADINGS AND EXTRACTION FOR THE ROTATED ACTORS OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
Variables
Components
Communalities1 2 3 4 5 6
Depression and Suicidal attempt -.017 .107 .121 .099 .912 .060 .872
Unable to do SRS -.082 .022 .148 .091 .912 .105 .881
Lack in modernization -.077 .189 .817 .257 .094 -.008 .785
No idea on government assistance .027 .194 .891 .170 .100 .100 .881
Dearth on insurance policy -.067 .303 .815 .083 .154 .209 .836
Unaware of market conditions .096 .896 .207 .117 .090 .146 .899
Limited promotional viability .040 .915 .198 .102 .036 .178 .921
Brand and quality competence .010 .875 .233 .143 .037 .114 .854
Fear of initiativeness .027 .199 .166 .077 .067 .874 .843
Bureaucracy issues -.028 .181 .060 .185 .103 .847 .799
Insufficient planning -.050 .093 .166 .810 .145 .002 .716
Hygienic factor -.081 .071 .215 .857 .025 .188 .829
Frequent Mobility -.014 .156 .076 .844 .038 .104 .755
Working with common people .867 .072 -.073 -.054 .116 -.039 .780
Alliances and negotiations .917 .040 .035 -.063 .024 -.137 .867
Art of living .891 .110 -.034 .017 .032 -.131 .826
Land Allocation .866 .043 -.061 -.067 -.058 .039 .765
Autonomy and power .875 -.063 .295 .010 -.088 .118 .791
Diversifying business
.814 -.043 .007 -.030 -.179 .133 .716
Eigen Values
5.219 4.609 1.723 1.568 1.364 1.132
% of Variance
27.496 24.257 9.071 8.251 7.177 5.957

8. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
1) The most dominating age groups of 26-34 years of transgender are involving in the entrepreneurial activities.
2) As far as the religion is concerned majority of 75.5 percent of the respondents are Hindus.
3) A maximum of 55.5 percent of the total respondents are belonging to the Backward Community.
4) Majority of 41.8 percent of the respondents have possessed Primary level of education.
5) The percentage of transgender entrepreneur respondents residing in urban area is 77.3 percent.
6) The important occupational background among the transgenders entrepreneurs constitutes 71.8 percent are Biryani
Caterers. Tailoring forms 15.5 percent to the total of the occupational background. 8.2 percent constitute Mobile food
stalls and the remaining of 4.5 percent constitutes other category of occupational background like paper mart, DTP and
typing related works. Among the occupational background, it is Biryani Caterers who comprises in majority.
7) Maximum of 52.7 percent of the transgender entrepreneurs are having an experience of 1-10 years.
8) Monthly income among the respondents is Rs. 5,001 to Rs. 10,000 which constitutes 37.3 percent.
9) Majority of 45.5 percent of the respondents do not possess any monthly savings and is nil.

9. . Among the various factors influencing transgender to become entrepreneurs “Entrepreneurial Tactics” factor comprises of
the variables such as re-invent the idea, positioning entrepreneurial strategy and life time mentor is found to be the most
important factor that influences the transgender to become entrepreneurs. The next important factor of influence is “Focal
point of business” that constitutes the variables namely choosing target customers and multiple role and multi-tasking.
 It is identified that there is no significant association between expenditure pattern and the factors influencing transgender
to become entrepreneurs in terms of Entrepreneurial Tactics, focal point of business, tremendous opportunities and
identity & caliber.
 Among the various problems of transgender entrepreneurs encountered “Future prospects of transgender entrepreneur”
factor consists of variables such as working together with common people, alliances and negotiations, art of living, land
allocation, autonomy and power and diversifying business are found to be the most important problem among the
transgender entrepreneurs. The next most important factor is the “Field entry pre-marketing problem” factor which
consists of the variables such as unaware of market conditions, limited promotional viability, brand and quality
competence.

10.  Out of 110 respondents 94 agreed that there is a financial soundness of transgender entrepreneurs after entering into the
entrepreneurial venture. The first preference was given to self-reliable and sovereignty, where transgenders are able to make
much of their self-decision and dominion independence to get into the entrepreneurial venture. After entering into the
entrepreneurial venture the transgenders of Coimbatore created a chance of identifying themselves as entrepreneurs and help
in dignified life by improving their living standard domestically and economically which improved their standard of living
and is ranked second followed by the encouraged in saving habits and plans of investment as they were able to earn income
and provide employment opportunities to other transgenders for commercial colonialism and the least rank preferred was to
removal of barriers and customs of transgender system like Jamaath towards Nayak system.

11. SUGGESTIONS
TO THE TRANSGENDER FAMILIES
1. Every should be made aware of the pre-childhood phenomenon of biological gender spectrum.
2. Adopting 5 A’s : Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and arrange can exacerbate the risk of ending up on the streets and away from
home.
3. Parents should seek help from campaigns of gender identity, blogs, books, medical journals, YouTube videos, clinical social
workers, professionals, knowledgeable community forums, service providers, websites like transpaernting.com and other
sources.
4. Transgender families must help transgender to attain Gender Recognition Certificate by thorough post medical diagnosis to
assist for Sex Re-assignment Surgeries, Hormone Replacement Treatment.
5. Parents can help their child update on the government documents like birth certificate, driving license, voter identity card,
family cards, bank accounts, passports and adhaar cards.

12. TO THE PUBLIC
1. “LIVE AND LET LIVE” Policy.
2. Establish an anti-discrimination cell to monitor the bullies in educational institutions.
3. Donate money to an organization providing direct service for transgender people.
4. Writing a regular column for a publication, engage in media.
TO THE TRANSGENDERS
1. Transgender must personally put an end to come out of the odd mechanism.
2. The bizarre kind of behaviour and inappropriate way of dressing
3. Breaking the chain of the jamaath organism or a cohabitating system under Naiks who act as tax collectors .

13. TO THE NGO’s
1. NGO’s should have formal affiliation with Inter-Governmental Organizations like United Nations.
2. Rehabilitation and welfare programmes, information centers etc for transgender person to be established.
3. NGO’s and Self-Help Groups must voluntarily come forward to create autonomous advisory councils and co-operative
banks
4. NGO’s have a drastic role to play and act as a bridge to identify transgender queries and easily report to the government in
regard to separate wards for transgender in government hospitals, financial assistance for undergoing feminization
treatment, reserved public restrooms, approach to police authorities etc by advocating inn establishing Transgender
Helpline.

14. TO THE POLICY MAKERS
1. The Nodal Ministry framing the policies should take transgender community into consideration.
2. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs should exercise to
authenticate data on transgender population.
3. Transgender entrepreneurs should be registered under District Industries Centre lessening the bureaucracy.
4. Special Juvenile Entrepreneurial Cell should be established under 18 years of age.
5. Vocational training on Financial Learning Programme to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem. Transgender Research
Centre should be actively formed.
6. “Bachat Karo Scheme” is to be introduced.
7. National Eunuch Commission should be constituted to provide guidelines regarding legal code of registration, various
government schemes, insurance policies, availability of subsidized loans / interest rate, valid documents, banking schemes,
investment patterns, diversification of business, reserved seats for education and employment, land allocation and security
issues.
8. Transgender entrepreneurs should be included under National Urban Housing Scheme.

15. 1. Pension Scheme of Rs 2,000 for transgender entrepreneurs those who are 50 years and above. Monthly food subsidy of
Rs 1,500 or 5 kgs of food grain and monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 for transgender can be granted.
2. A legally recognized forum shall be appointed to act as a nominee for transgender entrepreneurs in matters of
insurance.
3. Transgender of Coimbatore District show keen interest in cooking, tailoring, mobile food stalls, paper marts. There are
further scope of expansion of business like herbal gardening, setting up bakeries and confectionaries, beauty parlours,
running tea-stalls, driving institutes, laundry, DTP Centers, grocery shops, online food orders, and establishing Food
Pandams for which government should support them financially .

16. CONCLUSION
The largest and most distinct burst of transgender activism is taking place in all spheres of living. A well structured
Government-funded vocational rehabilitation programs must be initiated so that the transgender entrepreneurs can improve
their skill set margin and this can completely eliminate them from sex drive, prostitutions, drug addictions. It is quite natural
today that they are accepted judiciary as “Third Gender” and are almost demanding for all rights. The biggest misconception
about members of the trans community is that they are mentally unstable and can only be meant for entertainment, but
notable trans figures across sectors are proving that this ideology is false. The trans community is slowly being viewed in a
new light and has a vivid prospective growth of entrepreneurship with well advancement of technology and other innovative
modules which benefit the entrepreneurs, transgender community, society and the whole of the nation. The transgender
entrepreneurs have basic indigenous knowledge skill, potential and resources to establish and manage of being entrepreneur.
There is a need for knowledge regarding accessibility of loans, various funding agencies, procedures regarding certification,
awareness on government schemes, motivation, technical know-how, strengthening and formation of transgender
entrepreneurs’ network. The present study will help the planners and policy makers who are involved in the development of
transgender entrepreneurship to review the existing policies to amend the provisions by encouraging the entry of transgender
entrepreneurs as a recognized valuable measure for overall trans-community development.

17. SCOPE OF FURTHER RESEARCH
 A study on the impact of family acceptance and bonding on transgender entrepreneurs.
 A comparative analysis on traditional and modern transgenders.
 A comprehensive study on SWOT analysis of transgender entrepreneurs.
 An analysis of 3600 Performance Appraisal towards transgender entrepreneurs.
 A study on the saving habits and investment pattern of transgender entrepreneurs.
 An exclusive study on the awareness of training and development programmes for transgender entrepreneurs.
 A study on the impact of government assistance on socio-economic empowerment of transgender entrepreneurs.
 A detailed study on the financial assistance and various schemes available to transgender entrepreneurs.
 Role of Non Government Organizations and other supportive institutions towards the progression of trans-community.
 A study on inhibitions and prospects of Trans-masculine (Thirunambi) entrepreneurs.