It was a moment of shame and deep embarrassment for Gouri Bhadra, a 27-year-old transgender woman, who was forced to explain to the authorities why she could not wear the uniform tailored for men. It eroded her self-worth, she recollects. Bhadra works at the Kochi Metro in the ticketing section along with nine other transwomen. Kochi Metro earlier drew nationwide attention and applause when it appointed 23 transpersons based on their qualifications. However, a majority of them quit their jobs, unable to deal with multiple forms of discrimination.
Model Standards: Sheethal Shyam was crowned Miss Malabar in a beauty pageant held in Kozhikode recently
It was a moment of shame and deep embarrassment for Gouri Bhadra, a 27-year-old transgender woman, who was forced to explain to the authorities why she could not wear the uniform tailored for men. It eroded her self-worth, she recollects. Bhadra works at the Kochi Metro in the ticketing section along with nine other transwomen. Kochi Metro earlier drew nationwide attention and applause when it appointed 23 transpersons based on their qualifications. However, a majority of them quit their jobs, unable to deal with multiple forms of discrimination.
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“We were instructed to wear pants and shirts, similar to what men wear. We felt extremely uncomfortable complying with this directive,” says Bhadra. Authorities rejected their plea to allow them to wear salwar or churidar along with an overcoat. Bhadra found herself having to stand in front of a group of men, explaining why their bodies did not conform to the expectations of men’s clothing. “We would look like cis men in such attire, and we don’t want to appear like that,” Bhadra emphasises. “When I expressed that my body does not fit into a man’s costume, I received a very insensitive piece of advice. I was told to schedule a date for sex reassignment surgery and provide the necessary documentation. Whether to undergo the surgery or not is one’s choice. There are several members in the community who do not wish to undergo the surgery. The non-binary, non-conformist people should be able to live a life as per their choice.” Bhadra, with the help of other members of the transgender community, took up the matter with the state’s minister for social justice, R Bindu, to resolve the issue. “The minister took a decision favourable to us,” says Bhadra.
“For the cis-gender society, refusing to wear the official uniform might be viewed as arrogance, but they fail to understand the trauma experienced by a transwoman when forced to wear a man’s costume,” says Sheethal Shyam, a social activist and former member of the State Transgender Board who prefers to be identified as a trans person rather than a transwoman. “The queer community fundamentally embraces diversity; there are individuals who resist being confined to specific identities. Some opt for surgery, while others do not. It all depends on how they wish to present themselves. Beautifying and enhancing one’s body are integral aspects of survival and self-expression,” emphasises Shyam.
For transgender individuals, the act of body enhancement holds great significance, serving as an integral aspect for both survival and self-expression. Embracing one’s self-perceived gender identity often involves aligning physical characteristics with an individual’s inner sense of self. Body enhancement, whether through surgical procedures, hormone therapy, or other means, becomes a vital step towards achieving this alignment. “In the past, wearing make-up or traditional costumes like sari was viewed as a conservative concept by feminists. I have encountered questions about why queer people are embracing things that were once rejected by feminists,” says Prijith P K, a queer activist and former president of Queer Rhythm, an organisation based in Thiruvananthapuram. Prijith contends that such arguments stem from the inability to comprehend how queer individuals express themselves and how these expressions contribute to breaking free from the heteronormative beauty standards, ultimately promoting diversity in society.
Many queer activists like Prijith hold the view that beyond the physical aspects, this plays a crucial role in the emotional and psychological well-being of trans individuals, providing a pathway to affirm their identity in a society ruled by cis-normative norms. The queer community believes that the journey of body enhancement becomes a powerful narrative of self-discovery, empowerment and resilience, allowing trans individuals to authentically express themselves and navigate a world that imposes restrictive norms.
“The feminism that once cast a condescending look at women enhancing their bodies is a thing of the past; now we live in times of intersectional feminism.”