pahalnurturinglivesHow mentorship helps the TG community access sustainable livelihoods?
The world has changed dramatically over the last few generations, such that today’s youth come of age in a world where there are no longer clearly defined roles, paths and futures for them. Amid rising global uncertainty, youth need mentorship, support and affirmation to help them embark on stable and fulfilling lives. At Pahal, we believe in the value of collaboration over competition – envisioning a world where our youth can achieve happy and successful lives without having to out-compete or tear away resources from others. We believe that the success of one individual can bring about the success of others, and the upliftment of the whole community. We believe that life is not a zero sum game and that every individual deserves to live a dignified life and to be celebrated for their unique gifts.
Humans are social animals, and youth need role models and a supportive environment in order to thrive. This is nowhere more true than for youth of the transgender community, who often lose the support of their families before they even become adults. Cast aside for being who they are, forced to stay in the closet or in non-affirming marriages, these youth face severe marginalization and lack of opportunities. Many live in poverty and are forced to engage in sex work and begging to survive. The mentors they do find, through no fault of their own, are often uneducated themselves and are only able to lead their disciples to a precarious life on the margins, cut off from wider societal acceptance and the vital benefits it confers – dignity of labor, legal representation, access to healthcare, upward mobility, freedom from harassment and violence, and a chance to have their voice be heard on the global stage.
The concept of chosen family is deeply meaningful to many queer people. Estranged from their families of origin, they seek out others like themselves to build communities where they are accepted and valued for who they are. In this context, responsible mentorship for queer and transgender youth is vitally important. These youth need role models from their own community who have overcome barriers and achieved successful, sustainable livelihoods in the mainstream. They need to see people like them in positions of leadership and responsibility, to see the value of hard work, education, and maintaining strong networks of care, support and community ties. Strong, queer-positive mentorship allows queer and transgender youth to see the value they bring to society – as unique, creative, loving and talented individuals, and as ambassadors of a proud community with a rich history and tradition – and to in turn become mentors and role models to the next generation of queer youth.
