Transgender activist Abhina Aher described her experience of transitioning as a painful physical and psychological transformation, saying, "I just wanted to become a beautiful butterfly".
Seema Kumar, a transgender woman from Mumbai, described being abandoned, homeless, and facing abuse before finding work in a beauty salon. Progress and Legal Recognition shemale story india
Hijras are frequently born male but live in traditionally feminine ways, often rejecting the binary of man or woman. Transgender activist Abhina Aher described her experience of
They often live in "houses" or "families" under a guru who helps navigate societal discrimination. a transgender woman from Mumbai
She feels unsafe to go home after India passes anti-trans bill
Many hijras are abandoned by their families at a young age, often experiencing sexual abuse and violence.