“She hasn’t done anything to be dismissed from service. Her gender is not important to me; her capabilities are. I don’t think I can find another house help as trustworthy or reliable as her.”

Priyanka Sharma runs her business of blended teas from a Garima Greh in Delhi, which are set up by the govt to support trans persons.

“Madam, it is fine. For identifying my true self, I have undergone many such incidents. But ultimately only I know with how much happiness I lead my life. Living under a fake identity is more painful than their words.”

My supervisor introduced me as a valuable member of the team, emphasizing my skills and contributions rather than focusing on my gender identity. This simple act set the tone for my experience in the workplace.

How to change your name and gender legally? We have demystified the key aspects of social, medical and legal transitioning in India.