Supriya

This is not a story of a poverty-stricken laborer, this is a story of a transgender woman who is off the streets now and doing a regular day job. Supriya is a very cheerful and affable person. However, her journey to be in a normal job was not a bed of roses.

Supriya says, “I was born as the elder child to two younger brothers and a younger sister. I never really mingled or played with my brothers. I was always inside my house doing household chores along with my sister. I knew I was not like other guys right from my childhood but it was during my adolescence that I found out I am a transgender. I revealed it to my parents’ right after I finished my schooling. I was brutally beaten up by my parents and relatives. Then the phase of brainwashing, ignoring and forcing happened. I had no other choice but to run away from my home.”

Parents’ who are not able to understand the behavior and psychological state of their transgender kid need not be supportive but they shouldn’t push the child into frustration and depression as well. Being in a society filled with stereotypical mindsets it is really difficult for a trans person to live their life with dignity and peace. So, if parents either knowingly or unknowingly become the reason for interrupting their child’s education it would put them in a more difficult position.

She says, “After I joined the other members from the trans community I was involved in begging. I had to earn a minimum of Rs.1000 per day to pay the head of the house. I was embarrassed but I had no other choice. I got my surgery done with that money as well. It was again a huge battle for me to leave that place and return to my home. Yet, after a lot of convincing they allowed me to go back to my home.”

She then contacted PeriFerry through her friend for a regular day job as she did not want to go back to begging. Supriya is currently working as a Kitchen Steward at IBIS, Chennai. She adds, “My father seeing me work at IBIS Hotel spoke to me for the first time after a span of three and a half years. My relatives and my neighbors too have started respecting me. The pride and happiness you feel when you receive your first month salary after working hard is priceless. And all the credits go to PeriFerry and Manjula (HR at IBIS) who have helped me to be here today.”

Supriya is an inspiration for all of us.

She is happily married to Mr. Manikandan who supports her in all the walks of her life.

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