TRANSGENDER - I’M NOT AN IT

There are several blogs by people who tell you how they feel about the “Third Gender”. But, when it comes across from one of them, it makes a difference. So, I went and met a transgender, now converted to a female- Aastha, who was once called an “IT”. I put in all my effort to find out what struck her the most about the society she lives in, and the conversation brought tears in my eyes because even I felt guilty of not being able to help her. In my voice recording of the interview, one can’t hear her cry but can feel it for sure. So, here goes, my small attempt to bring out the prejudices set against the “ITS”.

I asked her, if she was always a transgender, she told me she was born with it, she obviously didn’t choose it for herself! On being asked about if she ever went to school, I got a shocking answer. She has completed her Masters of Science in Chemistry and yet, goes around the city begging people like us to give her a rupee or two. Wherever she went to apply for a job, they gave her ten rupees and avoided any further conversations about a job or any chance of working there. At the most, she got jobs like cleaning toilets, and she holds a Master’s Degree. What disgrace! She also mentioned how she was bullied in school, for what she wore, how she behaved and her likes and dislikes. In school, she used to wear girl’s clothes but used to behave like a boy. She loved wearing make-up and growing her hair and never shied away from it. She was a rebel, she still is!! Even when I’m taking her interview, she sits in front of me on the floor, with makeup, a bindi, bangles and “kumkum” on her forehead- in India, it means the lady is married by Hindu tradition, a total irony in Aastha’s case.

Her parents passed away when she was around 16 years, so she stayed with her brothers, after which she felt alone. Staying with four brothers, she felt uncomfortable and at times, kindled to extremes. I felt my eyes warming up when she mentioned how due to her sister-in-laws, her brothers abandoned her and how she suddenly became an orphan. She told me that she doesn’t know any means of attaining happiness, rather, is unaware of how it feels like to be loved and accepted. After she was thrown out of her house by her brothers, her whole village refused to allow her to step into the village, threatening to kill her if she did. She also works as a prostitute as she was only getting a maximum of 2000rs per month by begging, forcing her to SELL HER BODY.

Even after getting operated, after becoming a complete female, she was refused jobs, proper treatment, etc. But, she tells me how it feels awkward when options male and female are available, but the third gender option isn’t. She tells me how confused she feels thinking about the ideology or the beliefs of mankind about the third gender. Other than all this, they also invite them to Hindu functions, where they are regarded to bring in good fortune. REALLY??? And, then throw them out because they were made by God in a different way. I pity mankind.

When asked if she never had the wish to fight against this injustice, she told me, “How many people should I fight against? Who will support me? And if I start fighting, what’s the guarantee I won’t be harassed to death during the whole process?”. She isn’t just a transgender, she is also a beggar, a prostitute but she is a human, a Masters Degree holder, an independent lady, a fighter and most importantly- A SURVIVOR.

When asked if I could take a picture with her, she told she felt happy because people usually asked only nude and absurd pictures of her. Presently, she lives in a neighboured where she is treated well, spoken to well and also, to an extent accepted. I pray with all my might, that there comes a day when males and females accept their other companion- the trans genders.

left: Aastha; right: Vandana
Photo Credits: raghavi