LGBT Influencers Who Defied The Idea Of ‘Assigning Gender At Birth’!

Written By: Sonali

September 17, 2020 |

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We are in the 21st century, post 377 era but still half of the ‘janta’ struggle to understand the very obvious fact that the gender assigned at birth has nothing to do with one’s sexuality!

While the homo sapiens managed to explain the theory of polygamy and convinced themselves that menstruation is not some ‘jaanleva bimari’, I couldn’t understand why is it so hard for them to understand a ‘male’ need not like ‘females’ and that he may or may not like any gender of his choice and vice versa.

I’m introducing you today to five of the well-known influencers from the LGBT community who were assigned ‘male’ as the gender on their birth, but they proved it had nothing to do with their sexual orientation!

Alex Matthew

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#TBT to when I performed for first time in #Mumbai. It was memorable. I met many people who are near and dear to me ❤ Picture Courtesy: @agentsofishq #Mayamma #mayathedragqueen #indiandragqueen #brownqueens #dragqueensofindia #rainbow #smile #pride #southindian #dragrace #dragperformance #dragqueenart #rupaulsdragracelive #happiness #bangalore #LGBT #queer #fabulous #queenoflove #lockdown2020 #entertainer #performance #showqueen #instadragqueen

A post shared by മായമ്മ || Alex Mathew (@mayathedragqueen) on Sep 18, 2020 at 1:45am PDT

Alex, also known as the ‘Maya the Drag queen’ is one of the rare talents you will ever meet. The artist identifies self as Queer and is popularly known by the character ‘mayamma’ whose motto is to bring out and express all atrocities faced by the LGBT+ community.

Alex, through his art, tries to show people that drag performance is an art which has nothing to do with the gender or community the performer belongs to. The character ‘mayamma’ wishes to inspire women to be strong and fight back abuse.

Rohit Singh

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Being non-binary means for me is finally being in a space where I feel conscious and confident about the decisions I make in life and not having my body be regulated by one tight narrative. It has created pathways for me to be more creative, more vulnerable, and more resilient in the face of adversity. Being non-binary means everything to me, it has helped shape me into the person and advocate I am today. #makeup #makeuphasnogender #reels #gendernonconforming #genderfluid

A post shared by Rohit Singh (@roro_love_makeup) on Sep 4, 2020 at 7:24am PDT

Rohit, a professional make-up artist, is breaking all gender-based stereotypes by showing that make-up is not gender-specific.

For him, make-up is a form of art which is nothing less than magic and on which he doesn’t want any type of societal rules.

Sushant Divgikar

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Namaskarrrrrr !!! My hustle has been real , it’s been hard and I’m just putting it out there now and forever , I’m never backing down. You can stare at me but never look through me because I’m THAT diamond. I’ve only been taught by my lovely parents to believe in myself and love everything I do. So here I am rocking these custom made shoes which I am absolutely lovinggggg. RANI ke taraf se HAAAN HAIII !! I’m delighted and extremely honoured to be among the #50SuperstarsOfChange By @adidasoriginals #SuperstarsOfChange #adidasSuperstars Design credits for the custom made shoes – Chaitanya Dixit ( the artist who worked on making this design come alive ) @chaitanya_dixit And to everyone out there that has been told you’re not good enough , I just want to tell you all , pay no attention to Naysayers because they ain’t paying your bills ✌🏼 #queendom #queen #slay #rani #ranikohenur #sushantdivgikar #lgbt #queer #pride #adidasoriginals #custommade

A post shared by Sushant Divgikr/ Rani KoHEnur (@sushantdivgikr) on Sep 7, 2020 at 6:28am PDT

Sushant, the winner of Mr Gay India 2014, is one you can call an all-rounder. From being a well-known singer to a performer to a drag artist, his talents are beyond exemplary.

His drag queen character ‘Rani KoHEnur’, is the first-ever drag queen who got telecasted on national television. He is also known for his great acting skills and confident presentations.

Vqueeram Aditya Sahai

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the airport. again. same unimaginative rules. so much grey and white light it could be suitcase of a manager. then comes the tranny. no longer begging in the streets. none of the paraphernalia she must draw around herself to get some money because respect is impossible. a life even more so, if there is a threshold to the impossible that can be crossed without a boat. here is a english wali tranny. not exactly the shemale of their fantasies because she doesn’t have the boobs but also because she thinks she shouldn’t be fucked with. what does she know? when my bags are checked twice & then by hand, when the security person needs the neck of a tennis umpire going from my body to my id, back & forth till convinced that they are the right person to check my wrongful personhood. when before i have arrived at the desk, there is a huddle of every security staff behind the counter to smirk, amuse, wonder. an insatiable curiosity. but i’m the cat to be sacrificed. the guard will run the machine twice, ask questions about every beep since there is a zipper on the pants where he doesn’t expect it, there is a belly ring i must lift my tee to show, will ask questions about other curiosities i may be hiding, laugh at his own sexualisation of the moment, & then he will grope. twice. no tranny has made it to the stereotype of a terrorist so why is security so invested in my gender? it is simple. the security regimes wants to ensure the order of things, ensure passengers at the airport are given a normal experience. i don’t belong there. so i must be violated because i cannot be thrown out. so i don’t have the gall to show up again, given i have the gall to wear what i’m wearing. in the ways they join ranks, hold fort, become one leviathan against my audacity & transgression; my violation allows for the distraught to regroup. i upset the normalcy of their lives & so in the knowledge of what one of their own did to me, in the silence of my protest, in the high fives after i pick my bag there is the reformed community, the renewed normal. this is the vulnerable with guns. the trouble of anaesthetised surfaces. the community i help build. a virus a whole body fights.

A post shared by Vqueeram Aditya Sahai (@vqueer) on Jul 31, 2019 at 8:55pm PDT

Vikramaditya, a former professor at Ambedkar University, is known for keeping an unconventional view of the gender binary. Her work on gender inequality, ideology and opinions, and violence on LGBT+ shows his firm stand on LGBT+ issues.

She encourages people to love their sexuality and gender while accepting the realities and taking necessary steps to prevent injustice.

Vivek Shraya

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The 10 year anniversary edition of GOD LOVES HAIR is officially out today 🥳 In 2010, when I self-published this book, I had no manager, no agent, no publicist, no MFA, no writing community, and obviously, no publisher. I also had no giant motivations outside from a desire to share my story. It’s been a surprising journey, moving into the publishing industry—from hand selling copies at craft fairs and bookstores refusing to stock my book to being a staff pick on front tables, from creating a fake PR email address to send out press kits to having the support of publishing teams, from being ineligible for writing grants and prizes to being invited to be on literary juries, from sleeping in airports on my first book tour to sometimes having travel expenses covered, and of course, from being self-published to now being a publisher. I take none of this for granted especially because the job of an artist, as we’ve seen this year, is a precarious one. And despite the privileges and access I have gained, what I am proudest of is that I had the courage to write and release this book. I am so grateful to each and everyone of you who purchased an early copy, and especially grateful to my close friends who convinced me that my story was worth sharing. I wouldn’t have a career and the sense of purpose I’ve had this past decade without all of you ❤️ Big shout out to @juliananeufeld_draws for being such a wonderful collaborator and my publisher @arsenalpulp for celebrating this milestone. Signed copies and limited edition posters illustrated by Juliana are available @glassbookshop. Catch you on my ig live tomorrow at 8 PM EST for the book launch event! #godloveshair 📸: @vanessaheins 💄: @alanna_of_love

A post shared by VIVEK SHRAYA 🆚 (@vivekshraya) on Sep 15, 2020 at 4:00am PDT

Vivek, the author of the best-selling book ‘I’m Afraid of Men’, is also the creator of the album ‘Part‑Time Woman’. She is an artist whose work can be found in different genres –– music, visual art, literature, film, theatre –– you call it, she probably has done it.

Her work aims to educate and inspire their audience about topics, including mental health, queerness, and inclusion.

Share your story with us & we will share it with the world! #MyStory #LGBT

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Sonali

A 'non-9-5 desk job' ambivert geek who chooses her own audience, Sonali loves sharing stories and finding the corners where humanity still exists! She believes that every individual's story is unique and special. She loves writing about the untouched and unspoken segments of society. When not writing, you can find her listening to someone's stories or playing with dogs. Sonali values mental health and encourages people to speak their heart out! Check her thoughts at www.theobstinategirl.com

World Tribal Day: “Not All Adivasis are From Jungles!”

Written By: Sonali

August 9, 2020 | 07:49 AM |

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I’ve known Jyoti for more than a year — the first time we met, I had to wait for 15 minutes to reply to her, because she didn’t stop talking!! She has always been this bubbly and jolly woman who loves making people ROFL with her jokes.

Being from a Santhal family and an Adivasi tribe, she realized how the majority across the nation fails to recognize the indigenous tribes of the country. On the occasion of ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ aka ‘World Tribal Day’, here’s a quick anecdote from Jyoti’s life telling who and what Adivasis/ indigenous people are, their tribe and this day is all about!

“Adivasi ho? Haan lagti bhi ho!”
“Adivasi? Matlab jungle se?”
“Do you guys also do hula-lala?”

These were a few of the common yet idiotic questions that people often asked while stumbling upon Jyoti. “Initially, I felt bad upon hearing such questions and refrained from answering them but eventually, I looked at them as an opportunity to teach people about my tribe, religion and to bust the myths that they carried,” Jyoti said.

Jyoti did her initial schooling from Daltonganj. “I only knew Santhali as a language, and I had no idea about Hindi. I remember my teacher scolded me because I couldn’t understand her words,” Jyoti recalled an incident from kindergarten. “That’s when my parents decided to talk to us in Hindi at home so that we can understand and learn and communicate with others. It was difficult, but I did it,” she continued.

On ‘World Tribal Day’, here’s a quick anecdote about who and what Adivasis/ indigenous people are, their tribe and this day are all about! — Jyoti making *Handia*

Jyoti did her graduation from National Institute of Fashion Technology. She was a quiet fellow throughout her college life, “I never really indulged in conversations much — whether it was about the religion or caste or festivals or home — or about my examinations ranks. I couldn’t tell them that I was a scheduled tribe and got admissions through ST quota. One of my good friends in college suggested that I must not tell others about my caste/ religion or tribe. I might be judged as someone from the lower class, and people may stop talking to me!”

But it was until she didn’t shift to Mumbai after her graduation. Her professional life in Mumbai taught her a lot, and accepting one’s identity was one of them. “Sometimes, I found their questions offending, but it was a great opportunity to teach them about the vivid culture we carry. So when they bantered about our food or dance, I jokingly said, “arre nahi yaar! This is what we eat, and this is how we dance/ wear clothes.” There was so much to tell and teach them — there still is. And gradually, people started taking an interest in my tribe, other tribes and such conversations,” Jyoti laughs.

Jyoti originally belongs to a small rural village in Jharkhand — Bankati. Her father was the only man who completed his education and took up a job at that time. Unlike several members of his tribe, he understood the value of education and pushed his kids to the same. People back in the village are still not very aware of the city lives and the value of education and other skills development. They mostly rely on farming and making ‘handia’ for livelihood.

What’s more fascinating are her festivals, food and religion, and I bet there would be so many people who wouldn’t be aware of these!

Jyoti belongs to the Santhal tribe, and her religion is Sarna, but since they have not been recognized by the government yet, she writes ‘Hindu’ in the religion column. Like other religions, they also have separate traditions and have different ways of worshipping. They don’t have temples but ‘Jaaher Grah’, but unfortunately, you won’t find any recognized Jaaher in Jharkhand. All the tribes following Sarna religion worship in Jaaher. “We also recently celebrated ‘Gomha Parab’. Our food is different, there is no caste as such, the way we drape sarees is different, our customs in marriages are different — and no, we don’t eat snakes or wear leaves!! People do farming, and we do eat rice,” Jyoti says further.

Jyoti and several other people like her have been judged and misunderstood because of the incomplete knowledge about the Adivasis we carry. “Adivasis are left only for entertainment I feel! They are deprived of so many rights and resources,” she says. How easy it is for us to hide our own shortcomings of not knowing about the people of our country and covering it with lame jokes!

World-Tribal-Day_-“Not-All-Adivasis-are-From-Jungles”-6 — Maghe Parab [Gurucharan Murmu[

According to IWGIA, India comprises an estimated population of 104 million Indigenous people and 705 officially recognized ethnic groups; however, there are many more groups that are yet to be recognized and given the scheduled tribe status by the government.

August 9 is celebrated as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to ‘raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population’. Being from Jharkhand, I’ve also known some of these tribes, but thanks to Jyoti, I’m more aware and trying to learn more.

How many of you are aware of such tribes and traditions?

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