Title: Post-lockdown realities: policy implications for the socioeconomic well-being of the transgender community in India

Authors: Preeti; Shyamkiran Kaur

Addresses: Department of Humanities and Management, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India ' Department of Humanities and Management, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India

Abstract: The COVID-19 lockdown has exerted a significant impact on the transgender community in India, leading individuals to seek alternative means of livelihood due to the absence of adequate policies. While prior scholarly investigations focused on the challenges faced by the transgender community during the pandemic, this study examines the post-lockdown experiences. Conducting semi-standardised interviews with 12 transgender individuals, a thorough thematic analysis using ATLAS-ti software was undertaken. The findings reveal an occupational shift from survival tactics (such as sex work and begging during the lockdown) to traditional occupations (such as badhai and dancing) after the lockdown. This shift provided economic relief but underscored the growing dissatisfaction with traditional roles among the majority of participants. The paper critically examines current laws and schemes for the community, emphasising the necessity for more comprehensive policies and support systems to enhance the socioeconomic well-being of the transgender community.

Keywords: COVID-19 lockdown; transgender community; heteronormative society; survival tactics; occupational shift; human rights; socioeconomic well-being; social security; policy review; awareness campaigns; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRCS.2026.152888

International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional Studies, 2026 Vol.13 No.2, pp.197 - 210

Received: 29 Feb 2024
Accepted: 04 Apr 2024
Published online: 14 Apr 2026 *

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