Horniman photographic exhibition highlights Indian transgender culture
A new photographic exhibition at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in south London spotlights Indian transgender culture, through images captured by Zoya Thomas Lobo, India’s first transgender photojournalist. The series of 27 photographs in Meeting Mohini: Koovagam through the lens of Zoya Thomas Lobo follows the ancient Hindu festival celebrating the marriage of Hindu goddess Mohini – the feminine avatar of Vishnu* – to Aravan. In the Tamil month of Chithirai, falling between April and May, thousands of transgender women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people gather in the small village of Koovagam to reenact Aravan’s story. Having agreed to sacrifice himself for the greater good, Aravan asked the god Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) to be married, even if only for a night. Krishna, god of compassion, protection and love, became the goddess Mohini to fulfil Aravan’s wish. Images in the exhibition follow transgender women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people – who have long played a central role in the final two days of the festival – capturing the excitement and joy of the wedding day as well as the sadness and pain of funeral ceremony. The exhibition also focuses on life outside the festival, centring Zoya Thomas Lobo’s own experiences in Mumbai. Meeting Mohini shines a light on not only on the rich history and traditions of one of the oldest recognised transgender and LGBTQI+ communities in the world but also on the barriers and challenges that they face and overcome daily. It is Zoya Thomas Lobo’s first solo exhibition and first exhibition outside India. Navjot Mangat, Senior Curator of Social Practice at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, says: ‘The Horniman is for everyone, yet this is the first time we have focused an exhibition on – and worked directly with – the trans community in this way. We’re incredibly thankful to our collaborators and consultants, and for Zoya’s talent and openness in undertaking this commission for us and creating this exhibition.’ Zoya Thomas Lobo says: ‘Koovagam is a very important festival for trans people and I’m very excited to be using my camera to share our stories, traditions, culture and history. I’m very happy to be sharing my story and my work at the Horniman Museum.’ The Horniman will add the photographs from Meeting Mohini: Koovagam through the lens of Zoya Thomas Lobo – and 175 others taken by her as part of this commission – to its permanent collection, to increase representation of LGTBQI+ communities, and to complement existing Indian and Hindu collections. Meeting Mohini: Koovagam through the lens of Zoya Thomas Lobo opens at the Horniman on 6 December 2025 and is free to visit. Courtesy : London Post Note: This news is originally published on https:/londonpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Hyd Metro integrates transgender personnel into frontline security
The Hyderabad Metro Rail has inducted 20 transgenders into its security services and after undergoing training, they have started working from Monday. They will be used for baggage scanner, overall station security and other purposes. The Hyderabad Metro Rail, one of India’s largest and most advanced urban transit systems, operates across three corridors with 57 stations, facilitating the daily commute of nearly five lakh passengers. Women constitute approximately 30 per cent of these commuters, and ensuring their safety, comfort, and confidence remains a foremost priority of the Hyderabad Metro Rail system. The HMR authorities said that in line with the Government of Telangana’s commitment to inclusivity, dignity, and equal opportunity, special emphasis has been placed on deploying transgender personnel across various public service sectors. To further enhance the safety and comfort of women passengers and to continuously strengthen the existing safety ecosystem, Hyderabad Metro Rail is adopting proactive, capacity-building measures across its network. These initiatives aim to reassure women commuters, improve their travel experience, and ensure a secure and supportive environment throughout the Metro Rail system, said a HMR official. After successfully completing their Induction Security Training, these trained personnel began performing duties from Monday at selected Metro stations and inside Metro trains. This initiative not only enhances security but also reflects the government’s broader resolve to empower marginalised communities through meaningful employment and social inclusion. The engagement of transgender personnel marks a significant milestone in Hyderabad Metro Rail’s mission to create a safe, inclusive, and commuter-friendly environment. Their presence will strengthen frontline passenger services and reinforce the safety framework, especially for women commuters The key responsibilities of the newly inducted personnel include women commuter Safety- supporting and enhancing safety measures in general areas and in ladies-only coaches. Passenger Guidance and Support -Assisting passengers with directions, information, and on-ground facilitation, and baggage scanner assistance- monitoring baggage scanner operations to ensure smooth and secure passenger movement. Street-level and concourse security involve maintaining a visible, approachable, and reassuring presence across station premises. This role contributes to overall station security by helping ensure a safe, orderly, and welcoming environment at assigned Metro stations. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gauhati HC raises concern over lack of job access to transgenders
Guwahati: Gauhati high court said that there is no doubt that there is recognition of the gender identity of transgenders, which lies at the heart of the fundamental right to dignity, but “special measures are still lacking for providing them access to employment.” The court directed state govt to inform it in the next hearing in Feb about whether the proposal, mooted for reservation of transgenders in education and employment, has received the approval of the cabinet. The concern of the petitioner ‘All Assam Transgender Association’ (AATA) was that there should be some allocation of seats for the transgender persons and within such allocated number of seats, male transgenders and female transgenders should be allowed to apply for these seates so as to ensure the same rigor as a binary male and female in the recruitment process. The PIL seeks to address the grievance of the petitioner against the police department in particular, for having published an advertisement recruitment of transgender persons as sub-inspectors and constables, which they claimed to be discriminatory. The court said that in the advertisement in question, provision was made for the transgenders but the number of seats allotted was clubbed together with male candidates. Separate number of seats was fixed for females. During the hearing on Thursday, senior govt advocate D Nath submitted before the court of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury that the matter would relate to the policy decision of the state. “Unless a policy is framed, the director general of police or the recruitment body cannot go for such separate allocation, which would amount to reservation. What would be the percentage of reservation would have to be based on empirical data regarding the number, their social and economic status and other factors,” the advocate submitted. “Since the Supreme Court in 2014 recognised transgender persons as a third gender, the govts of the states were directed to provide them with all kinds of reservation in education and employment, treating them as socially and educationally backward class,” the court said in the order. On this, social justice and empowerment department’s standing counsel RM Das submitted before the court that a proposal has been mooted to recognise the transgender community as a socially and educationally backward class, which will be placed before the state cabinet for approval. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shelter for transgenders in city struggles for survival, dignity amid all-round apathy
Jaipur: Every year in winter season, Jaipur Municipal Corporation runs night shelters for the homeless. Some night shelters, though, operate the year round. Among them is the city’s only shelter for transgenders, started in 2023. This shelter in Shastri Nagar’s Doodh Mandi survives largely on the efforts of the 30 transgender people who live there. Inside, one side resembles an overgrown patch of scrub, while the other is littered with discarded furniture and broken equipment from govt offices. Five trans men and 25 trans women live here. Tarun, one of the trans men, says, “No one comes to check how we live. JMC started the shelter but never arranged water or food. For the past 15 days, ever since temporary shelters were opened, we’ve been receiving food from Moti Doongri Temple. But tell me, how long can anyone survive on just puri and aloo ki sabji every day?” Cleaning the premises is also their responsibility. “Not once has a sanitation worker visited here. From toilets to garbage, we clean everything ourselves. A security guard was posted here for a while, but he left months ago. We cannot even lock the main gate because the latch is broken.” The shelter has two halls, one where everyone sleeps and another where they cook. The sleeping hall has small lockers, but most of them are broken. Rats have burrowed deep holes into the locker walls. Several residents were bitten, forcing the group to adopt two dogs for safety. Auni Singor, a trans woman and a gold medallist athlete, says, “We get no funds from the govt or the corporation. We pool money for food. For over a year, we used tanker water, which was extremely dirty. Recently, we gathered money to install a pipeline. Four gold medallists live here, look at the conditions we’re forced to stay in.” She adds that they filed written complaints with municipal officials, approached former councillor Manoj Mudgal, and even requested former mayor Kusum Yadav to visit. “She promised she would come in two days. It has been almost a year, but those two days never came.” During the monsoon, snakes and scorpions entering the shelter are common. The rat population far exceeds the number of residents. While winter blankets have arrived from the corporation, the residents say essential repairs and safety measures remain pending. At one point, then JMC Heritage requested one of the shelter’s halls for converting it into an additional night shelter. Singor says, “This space was started for ten people, today we are 30. Our numbers are growing. If we give away one hall, where will new members go? For us, this is not just a shelter, this is home. Children who are rejected by their families come here. We are their only support.” The area surrounding the shelter is equally unsafe; bus parking, a liquor shop, and groups of idlers create a threatening environment. Residents say they face harassment and vulgar comments every evening. Tarun adds, “Trans women somehow manage to earn, but no one hires trans men. My family abandoned me. I’m educated and can work in an office, but everywhere I’m told, ‘You’re trans, how can we employ you?’ I am undergoing hormone treatment now, but without a job, how will I afford medicines?” This shelter, created to offer dignity and safety, today stands as one of Jaipur’s most neglected spaces, running only on the resilience, labour, and collective strength of the people it was meant to protect. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Third trans protesterdies of burn injuries
Hyderabad: A third transgender individual, who took part in the mass self-immolation protest against another transgender person named Monalisa, died at Gandhi Hospital on Tuesday, days after two others succumbed to their burns. The deceased, 24-year-old Navneetha, was among a group of around 40 transgender persons who set themselves on fire during the protest, alleging harassment by Monalisa, whom they accused of harassment and forcing them into prostitution. Eight members of the group sustained burns and were rushed to Gandhi Hospital. Among them were Afsana and Heena, who died on Nov 20 and 23. Police said five of the remaining six injured protesters recovered and were discharged three days ago, but Navneetha could not be saved. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender wins gold in nat’l ice stock meet
Bhilwara: Transgender player from Tonk district, Ritika Singh, won the gold medal at the national Summer Ice Stock Championship 2025, held from Nov 21 to 23 in a rural setting at Bichpuri in Agra. More than 200 participants from 15 states competed, including 25 members of the Rajasthan team, among whom three were transgender athletes. Ice Stock is an indoor sport played at sub-zero temperatures, traditionally dominated by competitors from colder countries. The event not only offered Indian athletes a national platform but also boosted interest in this emerging sport at the local level. Singh, 22, began her sporting career three years ago. In 2024 she won one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at a national competition in Gulmarg, Kashmir. Her victory in Agra brought her total medal count in the sport to five. Talking to TOI, Singh said, “I want to represent the country at the international level. I want to say to my transgender sisters across the country that even though we are from a marginalised class, if we commit to our work, we can definitely do something. People look at transgenders in a wrong way, and society doesn’t give them much importance, but we must not lose courage. Being transgender may have been considered as a curse for me, but I will prove this to be a blessing through the strength of sports.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Films can change transgender struggles’
Panaji: People aren’t exposed to the struggles of transgender individuals, which has the potential to be changed through cinema, said Vietnamese actress Can Quan, starring in the movie ‘Skin of Youth’, on Monday at the International Film Festival India. “When I was young, I saw people from the transgender community in nations such as the US and Hong Kong expressing their individualities through art, fashion, and music. So this movie was my chance to express my individuality through the character,” said Quan Tran. Ashleigh Mayfair, the director of the movie, said that they hope to release the movie in Vietnam as well. “The movie has been welcomed internationally and other film festivals and gave value to the existence of transgender communities worldwide. We hope that this movie helps the Vietnamese audience understand the perspective of a transgender individual. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender Manipur activist cycles across states to spread message of peace
Kolkata, Transgender Manipur social activist Malem Thongam, who embarked on a 3,000-km journey on a cycle from Delhi, reached West Bengal after travelling through several states, spreading the message of peace for the northeastern state in the wake of the deadly ethnic violence. Thongam began her ride on October 2, cycling through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and will continue onward to Assam, Nagaland and finally Manipur. “Humanity should prevail over differences of religion, caste, community and ethnicity,” she told PTI on Saturday. “I stand before you as a Manipur transgender activist, a survivor and a seeker of peace,” she said. “On October 2, 2025, I began a 3,000-km journey from Qutub Minar, cycling across India for Manipur’s peace.” Ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in May 2023, claiming more than 260 lives and displacing thousands. “This is not a stunt,” Thongam said. “It is a cry from the soul of a wounded land – a pilgrimage for healing and unity. For months after May 3, 2023, Manipur was engulfed in a humanitarian catastrophe: ethnic violence, displacement and destruction.” The activist claimed that over 60,000 people remain internally displaced, with villages razed, women assaulted, children orphaned, elders abandoned and persons with disabilities still trapped in relief camps. Appealing to people along her route, Thongam said, “Let us uphold the values of dignity and inclusiveness for a peaceful Manipur.” Belonging to the Meitei community herself, she called on India and the world “not to look away. Let Manipur be seen. Let Manipur be healed – in strength, in truth and in hope.” Recalling the events leading up to her mission, she said she began a hunger strike in New Delhi on February 22, 2024, demanding an end to the violence. Detained briefly by police, she resumed her fast at a gurdwara near Connaught Place after her release. Her demands included direct intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In March last year, she continued her protest at Imphal’s Kangla West Gate, fasting for more than 50 days to call for peace. Thongam said the solidarity she has received across states has been deeply moving. In Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, she was welcomed by a district hospital medical team and police personnel. In Patna, residents greeted her with placards advocating peace. She also offered prayers at Patna’s Jama Masjid for interfaith harmony and healing. “We want free movement across highways and inter-state roads to continue unhindered, as in the past,” she said, referring to incidents in Manipur where members of one community were barred from travelling through areas dominated by another. “We don’t want communities to fight. If there are demands, they must be addressed to the government,” the activist said. “The incidents that struck our beautiful state in those dark days keep haunting me. I only wish all communities live together in harmony,” she said, speaking in Meitei, with an interpreter translating. Asked about support from the transgender community, Thongam said, “Every citizen, including trans men and trans women, has supported me, along with members of the community from abroad who have pledged their solidarity.” (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Nomination papers of UDF’s transgender candidate cleared
Kottayam: After officials on Saturday cleared her nomination papers, transgender woman Arunima M Kurup will be the UDF candidate from Vayalar division of the Alappuzha district panchayat. The 26-year-old is not new to politics as she is the state general secretary of KSU and the founder president of Kerala Pradesh Transgender Congress. She is also a KPCC member. Arunima, a native of Cherthala, is currently doing her LLB from an institute in Kottayam. Arunima expressed happiness as the panel approved her as a transwoman. “There was no objection from anyone,” she told TOI after her nomination was accepted. “I am contesting as a political leader. I have several ideas and projects to be implemented. A good hospital, roads, anganwadis, care for pregnant women, more workdays for MGNREGA workers and finding employment avenues for women etc., are among them,” she said. Arunima had earlier dismissed allegations made against her which claimed that she could not contest from a seat reserved for women. Arunima said that she was legally a woman in all records and was living as a woman after undergoing gender affirmation surgery six years ago. She also said that she was classified as a woman in the voter ID, Aadhaar and in the voters’ list. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
187 of 1,700 transgender electors in Bihar voted; one contested
In an election which set record for maximum number of voter turnout in the state since the first assembly polls in 1951, the voting percentage among transgender electors was recorded at 10.99 per cent. New Delhi: The representation of transgender persons in the just-held Bihar elections remained dismal with only 187 (excluding postal votes) of the total 1,701 (including service voters) registered electors turning up at polling stations to cast vote. There was only one trans gender candidate who fought the election and lost deposit, data shared by the Election Commission shows. According to the data, the strength of registered transgender elector was 1701 out of the total electorate of 7.47 crore. In an election which set record for maximum number of voter turnout in the state since the first assembly polls in 1951, the voting percentage among transgender electors was recorded at 10.99 per cent. The overall voter turnout stood at 67.25 per cent in the two-phased election held earlier this month. Only one trans gender contested the poll and lost deposit for not securing the minimum votes, the data shows. There were 2,616 candidates in fray and 243 won, while 2,107 lost deposit. According to election law, a candidate contesting an assembly poll has to make a security deposit of Rs 10,000, which is Rs 5,000 for a candidate belonging to Scheduled Caste or Tribe. If a defeated candidate fails to secure more than one sixth of the valid votes polled in the constituency, they lose the security deposit. Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights