Transgender rights have often been overlooked in the debate on gender despite several steps towards their inclusion — such as the “third gender” option on application forms. Often victims of family conflicts and forced treatments to “correct” them, they remain vulnerable to exploitation and marginalisation — more so given a constant fear of disclosure and potential rejection. This persistent state of fear and anxiety can inflict profound psychological trauma, leading to feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and despair. Parents often exacerbate this, by exerting pressure on children to deny or suppress their true gender identity.

The Transgender Rights Association (TRA), led by Jeeva Rangaraj, has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and inclusion of transgender persons in Tamil Nadu since its inception in 2007. Jeeva Rangaraj, in her capacity as a member of India’s first Transgender Welfare Board, has championed policies and programmes aimed at promoting........

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