Catalysed by the Friends of Deprived People (FDP), an NGO funded by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS), more than 200 eunuchs here have taken up the task of educating people both inside and outside their community on AIDS prevention. Of the estimated 3,000 eunuchs in the city, 1,000 have come out declaring their `special identity'.

Spearheading the awareness campaign are 32 eunuch leaders from various areas. Trained as resource persons, they convene meetings at the local level and disseminate information on AIDS prevention, safe sex and a healthier life. Brainstorming sessions are held to elicit views and clear misconceptions.

Popularisation of the use of condoms is one of the major programmes taken up by the FDP and the resource groups. They inform not only their community members on the potential risk of unprotected sex, but also the considerable number of men seeking sex witheunuchs.

Moreover, eunuchs' associations have been formed in 38 localities with community elders called Gurus as the heads. They meet every month to discuss their social, economic and health concerns. Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society extends its support in the form of slide projections, visits to STD hospitals and other educative programmes.

Support groups are formed with men and women volunteers called Panthis, who are ``husbands of declared eunuchs'' or eunuchs in male guise. Registering themselves as members with a subscription fee of Rs 10, the support group members help create an atmosphere conducive to open talk.

Eunuchs are classified into Double Deckers, who dress up like men but have feminine tendencies, Dangas, who have feminine gestures but wear lungis and shirts and Alis, who wear sarees and grow long hair, says FDP executive secretary A H Susan Hema, Hema.

Shunned by own families, they form alternative ones with a well-defined hierarchy headed by a Guru, and with `husbands' and`wives.' Says Dhanam, a Guru: ``We are born with a gender identity crisis. It is not an imitated or learnt one, but a natural instinct that urges us to be women.''

The poignant words of Selvi, a participant at a recent workshop on community response, makes a tough translation: ``You may expect this defensive battle against AIDS from anyone but us. We are the most stigmatised and haunted. Present, yet ignored. In the middle of nowhere."