Skip to content
Infano-logo
  • Health & Fitness
  • Sexual Health
  • Mental Health
  • Periods
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • PCOS
  • HerStory
  • Campaign
  • Download App
  • pink-search-icon
    • Close
Infano-logo
  • Health & Fitness
  • Sexual Health
  • Mental Health
  • Periods
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • PCOS
  • HerStory
  • Campaign
  • Download App
  • pink-search-icon
    • Close
  • Health & Fitness
  • Sexual Health
  • Mental Health
  • Periods
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • PCOS
  • HerStory
  • Campaign
  • Download App
  • pink-search-icon
    • Close

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

Written By: Sonali
September 17, 2020
  • Full Read
Spread the love

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

View this post on Instagram

#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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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

Genderhuman rightslgbtLGBTQsocialTransgender

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!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Infano Care

Why Acid Attack Didn’t Burn This Survivor’s Spirit

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin
August 31, 2020 | 05:01 PM |
1,838
  • Full Read
Spread the love

Like any acid attack victim, I could start Shaheen Malik’s story with the usual who, what, where, when, how, or why. The story isn’t very different- a young pretty ambitious girl who rejected the advances of a man. Let’s change the narrative here because the Shaheen that was and is now, is definitely not the same.

Present-day 2020. Meet Shaheen Malik- Director of Campaign Against Acid Attack at Human Rights Law Network. She is also a part of many other initiatives like Delhi Commission for Women, Sheroes, Stop Acid Attacks. Shaheen has been helping acid attack survivors fight legal cases, get counseling, and find jobs. She has been actively fighting against the sale of acid being sold in shops.

“My experience since my attack and my work with HRLN has taught me a lot,” says Shaheen. “It has given me confidence and support. I handle the Campaign Against Acid Attacks here nationally. I get in touch with survivors, ensure their treatment and counseling, get their FIRs registered and statements taken. I also try and get them employed to make them self-dependent. Becoming an activist for acid attack victims exposed me to the suffering of others and made me more empathetic. I see worse cases than mine, I still have a partial vision in one eye. Helping them gives me the feeling that I have made a positive contribution to society in my own small way.”

Source

After loss of one eye, partial vision loss in the other, 20 reconstructive surgeries on face and lakhs of money spent on eye drops and operations, Shaheen could have been just another victim of an acid attack but she decided to be a fighter instead. 

After the incident in 2009, life was a downhill ride. A smart, intelligent, and pretty girl from Delhi, Shaheen aspired to be successful, independent, and make a mark for herself in the world.

“I come from Delhi’s middle-class Muslim family”, says Shaheen. “Despite my conservative background I was a free-spirited girl with dreams and ambitions of my own and always fought for it. I was pursuing my course at Punjab Technical University, Panipat Haryana. I was working part-time at an office and my boss was making unwanted advances at me. I even left the job once but my need for money and also the fact that my mark sheet was in his possession made me join back. One unfortunate evening he stalled me at work for no reason, spoke to someone over the phone, and then asked me to leave suddenly. When I got to the road, a masked man was standing there and suddenly threw something on my face.”

Shaheen was attacked with acid in a public place and in broad daylight. All she remembers was not the pain, but fear. And her deafening screams. A crowd gathered and stared at her not knowing how to help. 

“Had someone helped me by splashing water on my face then, perhaps my eye would have been saved”. This lack of awareness amongst the public and the delay by the medical institutions for admitting her and treating her on time cost Shaheen the loss of an eye. Predictably, Shaheen was sent running from one hospital to another as they refused to treat a “police case”.

“I have a partial vision and I need help around at times. It’s been 11 years now but I still refuse to fill the disability form because I am in constant denial that I am disabled. I can’t bring myself to accept the fact that I come under the disabled group even though I know I will receive benefits under it.”

“The physical pain is so intense that you forget about the mental trauma. When they first threw water on me, each drop felt like a thousand needles on my skin. I still get goosebumps thinking of it. At every point of my treatment, I felt that my life was slipping away from my hands”, says Shaheen.

Trauma, PTSD, depression, low self-esteem, disappointment, anxiety, lack of confidence, acceptance are just some adjectives that can be used to describe the mental turmoil an acid attack victim faces. “It is like being robbed of your identity, I just wanted the old me back. The other part of the physical pain is when the skin starts contracting after 2 months.  For 8 years I tried to look for my eye treatment around the world. The financial strain on the family is not something I can even explain.”

 In 2013, the court had ruled in favour of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarval and imposed restrictions on acid sale. It also ordered compensation to be paid by the state governments to each acid attack victim. This gave Shaheen new hope. But the shame here is the fact that even 10 years later, justice has not been served to Shaheen. The accused still roams free and the case is still pending trial in the supreme court.

Shaheen’s message to the society

Acid attack victims need medical, legal, emotional and financial support. “Thousands of cases still don’t make it to FIRs. The apex court has mandated free treatment for acid attack victims but its implementation is not done in the right manner.” Compensation should include not just the cost of recovery but also enable these survivors to move on in life. While increased media attention makes more victims report the incident, there is still a lot to be done, feels Shaheen. Create more job opportunities for them so that they can be financially independent and gain their confidence back. 

“We need to raise sons with more sensitivity towards the other gender. Understanding consent, handling rejection, and anger management should be taught to them from an early age. This patriarchal entitlement and misogynistic mindset that is present in men is the root cause of this crime. I often advise the youth during my talks that it is okay to be said no to by a girl and that her decision should be respected. Don’t treat it like a self-esteem issue.” 

Lastly, “Agar acid bikta hi nahi toh yeh hota hi nahi (If acid wasn’t sold freely this would have never happened with me)”, she says. This is why she has chosen to work for the ban to be implemented and urges the public to support the cause. The Delhi High Court in February 2020 sought the Delhi government’s stand on a plea by Shaheen.

Shaheen refuses to hide her face. She has decided that no matter the stares, she will not cover her eye or her face from the public. Always a fashionista, Shaheen wears what she likes. “Why should I hide my face when the criminal is roaming scot-free? I am not the guilty one here. He should hide his face out of shame, not me.”

acid attackacid attack survivoracid attack victimhuman rightsinfanojustice for shaheenjusticedeniedpunish the accusedshaheen mallikwomens rights

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin

Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin has done her masters in Journalism & Communication and has worked as a senior journalist, editor and columnist for leading publications like The Logical Indian, Deccan Chronicle, Worldwide Media Corporation, The Bridge and Provoke.
With Infano, she hopes to create more awareness about women’s health issues. Suffering with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, she has also been advocating for its awareness through media.

Related Posts

Social 4 mins Read

I-Tutorial 101: What Is ‘Flashing’? Is That A Real Crime?

Written By: Sonali November, 13 2020 | 06:18 PM
Pregnancy 4 mins Read

How To Prevent A Pregnancy: 5 Things You Need to Know About Emergency Contraception Pills

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin November, 13 2021 | 10:00 AM
Trending 3 mins Read

Why Netflix’s ‘Bombay Begums’ are the Boss Ladies We Need

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin March, 15 2021 | 04:41 PM
Sexual Health 3 mins Read

Rights And Beliefs: LGBT Laws That You Must Be Aware Of In India!

Written By: Sonali October, 22 2020 | 04:20 PM
Parenting 3 mins Read

How to Deal When Your Adopted Child Wants to Meet Her Birth Parents

Written By: Sindhu Kambam June, 4 2021 | 09:15 AM
HerStory 5 mins Read

This Trust Is Guiding Rural India On Menstrual Health & Embracing Their Practices

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin May, 26 2021 | 09:00 AM
Social 3 mins Read

Criminalising Marital Rape: Why Is India Against It?

Written By: Sonali February, 27 2022 | 04:30 PM
Periods 3 mins Read

Not All Premenstrual Symptoms Indicate Good Menstrual Health

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin November, 4 2021 | 10:00 AM
Parenting 4 mins Read

This Mother Has A Message For New Parents On World Breastfeeding Week

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin August, 4 2021 | 10:40 AM
Parenting 5 mins Read

Ten phrases you should never say to your kids.

Written By: Suhani Sharma July, 29 2021 | 08:59 AM
Trending 3 mins Read

How Masturbation Helped Me Become A Confident Girl!

Written By: Sonali June, 30 2021 | 05:40 PM
Sexual Health 2 mins Read

Sex Addiction: How to know if you are a sex addict?

Written By: Humzaad February, 27 2022 | 10:00 AM
Sexual Health 4 mins Read

Sexual Health: When Does It Count As ‘Having Sex’?

Written By: Humzaad October, 15 2021 | 03:56 PM
Social 5 mins Read

Pride Month: Healthcare Is One Of The Biggest Barriers Towards A Gender-Inclusive Society!

Written By: Sonali June, 16 2021 | 11:52 AM
Sexual Health 4 mins Read

Relationship Tips For Women: How To Identify If Your Male Partner Is Sexually Healthy?

Written By: Tasneem Akbari Kutubuddin August, 17 2021 | 09:00 AM
Sexual Health 2 mins Read

Men Need to Step-up Their Game When it Comes to Birth Control!

Written By: Infano March, 30 2021 | 03:22 PM

Subscribe to our Newsletter

To keep yourself updated with women-related news around the globe, articles, opinions, suggestions and exclusive offers that you should not miss, subscribe to our newsletter.

    Home | About Us | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Cancellations and Refund Policy | Privacy Policy
    © 2022 Infano Women's Health | Lifestyle | Success Stories • Powered by GeneratePress

    Insert/edit link

    Enter the destination URL

    Or link to existing content

      No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.