Social Activist Gauri Sawant Becomes 1st Transgender Appointed As Poll Ambassador In Maharashtra
chaitra krishnanMA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Experience: 5 yearsChaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from St... more
Due to the unfair and demeaning treatment of transgenders by our society, we often remember seeing them only at traffic signals and in local trains. People (and the government) often forget that transgenders are as capable as everyone else, and their sexual orientation shouldn’t be a yardstick to measure their abilities. Have you ever been to a transgender doctor? Ever taught by a transgender teacher? Or ever got on a flight with a transgender pilot? Unless we turn the answer from an obvious no to an affirmative yes, our society is poor. While many transgenders curb their dreams because they feel that the society around them is hopeless, there are people like Gauri Sawant who swim against this societal tide. After becoming the first transgender Poll Ambassador in Maharashtra, her aura of inspiration is glowing brighter than ever.
Gauri Sawant is the first transgender mother and also a social activist who works hard for LBGT rights. The Chief Election Officer (CEO) chose her as the “state icon” in order to encourage more people to vote for during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Gauri told a leading newspaper that she will generate awareness among the housewives and those who make a living on flesh trade about the importance of voting. She also said that since none of the political parties care to mention anything about the welfare ofthese people, they don’t bother to vote and this is a situation that has to change.
From Ganesh to Gauri
Gauri was born as Ganesh Suresh Sawant to a Pune-based conservative family. Her mother died when she was only nine years old and thereafter her grandmother took care of her. Gauri always felt inclined to the feminine side of her and was often mocked by her classmates at school in a derogatory manner. When puberty hit, she started getting attracted towards men and it made things more difficult for her. She would always dress up in her grandmother’s sarees and apply makeup without letting anyone else know. She had to confine the beauty she admired about herself so that she wasn’t hurt.
Once Gauri started going to college, she often wore kurtis because she thought that it was gender neutral. Her father is a police officer and when her family discovered that she was a transgender, she was asked to leave the house. Gauri was only 18 back then. Being born and raised as a boy, we can imagine the plight Gauri would have faced to accept her sexuality and be true to herself. She broke away from the shackles that caged her so that she can live a life that her heart desired.
Gauri underwent transition with the help of Humsafar Trust. She did not have a roof above her head or her family’s support during those difficult times. Nonetheless, she owned her challenges and dealt with them like a real-life Wonder Woman. In the year 2000, she established her own NGO along with Ashok Row Ravi to encourage the freedom of transgenders, hijras, and homosexual men. The NGO called Sakhi Char Chowghi is in Malad, Mumbai. And today, 18 years down the lane, Gauri still continues to promote the welfare of minority groups who often get isolated due to their sexual orientation. Today, her team has more than 150 members and they all work towards spreading awareness about safe intercourse. She also gives counseling to transgenders from different parts of Mumbai.
Gauri Sawant was the petitioner of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) case that sought the address of grievances faced by the transgender community. The judgment that was passed in 2013 also earned the legal declaration of their gender identity as something separate from male or female. Now we know them as the “third gender” due to this judgment. However, Gauri became more popular through an advertisement of Vicks that featured her and her daughter.
The First Transgender Mother
Gauri always dreamt of becoming a mother and her dream was fulfilled when she adopted Gayatri. Gayatri, who is 18 years old now was rescued by Gauri when she was only 4. Gayatri’s biological mother who was a victim of the flesh trade lost her life to AIDS and her grandmother was at the verge of selling her to a dealer in Sonagachi, Kolkata, which is popular for being Asia’s largest red-light area. According to Gauri being a mother is a behavior and it’s more connected to the emotions. She proves us that anyone can be a mother regardless of their gender. Gayatri studies in one of the best schools in the city and she aspires to become a lawyer to support her mom for the causes they believe in.
Stories like that of Gauri’s often get lost in the hustle. But someday when that changes, everything will fall into place. Man, woman, transgender or anybody born any way is entitled to equal rights and equal treatment regardless of their sexual orientation. Do you think Gauri’s story is inspirational? What are your views on the issues suffered by the LGBTQIA community? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
