Sr Lini’s article aims to raise awareness about the social and emotional needs of transgender individuals, highlighting the need to treat them with respect and dignity instead of marginalizing or criminalizing them. She shares her personal experiences. In 2020, when she was serving as treasurer of Bangalore CRI a panel discussion was organized during the annual ‘Sanyasa Sangama’. The speakers at the panel were a transwoman, transman, ex-prisoner, and child from a foster home. More than 1000 religious men and women were present. Dr. Divya’s story left everyone in tears. By revisiting Dr Divya’s story in this article, Sr Lini takes us to the painful world of transgenders.
Dr. Divya narrates,
“I was born male and didn’t notice any feminine attributes until I reached the 7th grade. In 8th grade, I participated in a Rangoli competition and won the 2nd prize. However, my joy was short-lived as the boys in my school started teasing me for doing a “girl’s job.” I became a joke to them and I regretted participating in the competition.”
The Metamorphosis
My parents most likely noticed changes in my behavior as I began to embrace my feminine side, but they said nothing. I kept this part of myself hidden from them, and after finishing school, I enrolled in college. However, my differences became more noticeable and my classmates often snickered and giggled at me. Even simple acts like raising my hand in class were met with ridicule. Despite my efforts to conform to traditional masculinity, I failed and became a target of mockery. I felt trapped and hopeless. Nonetheless, I persevered in my studies and graduated as a physiotherapist. Unfortunately, being a transgender person, finding work has been difficult, and I have resorted to begging for a living. Some have asked why I do not seek employment in my field of study, but the reality is that no one wants to hire a transgender individual, regardless of qualifications. In reality I am Dr Divyadarshini, a qualified Physiotherapist, but no one wants to hire me, a transgender, qualified or not.
Sr Lini Sheeja MSC
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