This past Sunday night, a massive fire broke out at a convention of trans* women in Delhi. At least fifteen people were killed, and over thirty-six were injured. I haven't seen a lot of details in the press, but NPR reported that an electrical short may have caused the fire.
NPR also quoted a witness who said it took the local fire brigade an hour to arrive.
My heartfelt condolences to everybody affected by this horrible tragedy.
I think it goes without saying (but here I go!) that gender non-conforming people around the world are seriously oppressed. In the case of hijra and other Indian trans* people, I imagine they might have held their gathering in a more opulent, less deadly venue had that been an option.
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