India - 2008. In the culture of South Asia, a "Hijra" is known as a member of "the third gender". Most are physically male or intersex. Hijra communities link up with other Sexual Minorities (LGBT's). They face extreme discrimination in health, housing, education, employment, immigration, law, and any bureaucracy that is unable to place them into male or female gender categories. Due to unemployment they engage in begging and sex work for survival. Violence against hijras, especially sex workers, is often brutal, and occurs in public spaces, police stations, prisons, and their homes. Humanitarian reports state that at least 80 percent of LGBT's have been violated and sexualy abused bij police and government officials in South India. Homosexuality was deemed illegal by a British colonial-era law and is punishable by a fine and a 10-year prison sentence. For decades the United Nations has called on India to decriminalize homosexuality in order to allow and facilitate prevention work against HIV/AIDS. The Indian government estimates that between 2 and 3.1 million people are living with the disease. Often unaware of means of protection, HIV is thriving among sex workers. Aid organisations invite them to STD awareness programmes, provide safehouses, law support and medical examination.