There is a long way that our culture and the country have to cover towards sexual sensitivity. However, taking one step at a time, Kerala has been a shining example of being accepting towards its transgender community. In 2015, regulation of transgender friendly policy contributed to the opening of many opportunities for the marginalized section. Zara Sheikha became the first trans woman to crack a job at an MNC, inspiring many closeted people to embrace their identity.
The unabashed confidence that Zara has inculcated through her struggle against bullying is palpable in her words. She shares her story without mincing words, reflecting upon the disappointing attitude of the society and her family towards her sexual identity.
She writes on Being You,
Zara Sheikha worked as a closeted male for years in various firms before. Bullied for her effeminate body language, she had her own ups and downs. This is the first time that a company has accepted her with her sexuality.
Her courage has garnered applause from a number of people. Shashi Tharoor also shared her story through a tweet:
Remarkable story of ZaraSheikha, born Nishant, first transgender employed in Trivandrum: https://t.co/EwZ4pzZ58T https://t.co/XRwNK8W9Ot
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 7, 2017
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It is notable that she has been able to come to terms with her sexuality with the help of an LGBTQ NGO, Queerythm which provided her with counseling and securing the job. In a previous interview with Times of India, she talks about her work life experience as a man,
All these years I have worked as a man, hiding my gender identity. I was bullied and faced a lot of harassment while working in a firm in Abu Dhabi. I wanted to live as a woman and I am so happy that UST has accepted me as who I am.
The transgender policy in Kerala enables counseling centers, crisis management centers, and self-employment grants to include the community among the heterosexual dominant realm.
