AB Hernandez mother blasts critics during heated Riverside Unified school board meeting over transgender athlete debate
AB Hernandez, the 16-year-old transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County, became the centre of a stormful school board meeting on August 2025. Her mother, Nereyda Hernandez, stood up in front of the school board and told them, “my daughter is not the problem,” as tensions ran high over her participation on the girls’ volleyball team. The meeting followed a forfeit by Riverside Poly High School’s girls’ volleyball team, who refused to play Jurupa Valley, making national headlines. AB Hernandez’s mom Nereyda Hernandez speaks out at Riverside school board meeting At the Riverside Unified School District board meeting, on August 2025, Nereyda made her voice very clear. She turned to board member Amanda Vickers and accused her of a “moral failure” and of “welcoming harassment.” She said, “You actually entertained and welcomed harassment to my child … you have an oath to protect, to support all children, not just the ones that fit your ideas, your beliefs.” She added: “When you allow or tolerate targeted harassment … you are only failing morally.” She made it firm: “My daughter is not the problem,” and blamed “coordinated external efforts… to spread fear and pit parents against each other using religion as a shield for discrimination.” Another parent at the meeting accused the board of “gross negligence” and said AB had been “stalked” and “followed.” Meanwhile, others spoke for the Riverside Poly athletes, like Maria Correo, who said, “Poly girls, we stand with you. Keep fighting, because these parents that support their confused child are the problem.” AB Hernandez, school forfeit, state titles and broader controversy Earlier in mid-August 2025, Riverside Poly High School forfeited its scheduled girls’ volleyball match against Jurupa Valley. Officially, the school said they wanted a “safe, positive environment for all student-athletes.” But many believed the forfeit protested Hernandez’s inclusion on the team. Some parents spoke out, saying trans people “have no right to play sports against the opposite sex.” AB Hernandez had already won state titles in triple jump and high jump and placed second in long jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championships. Amid fierce protests and attacks from national figures like former President Trump, CIF introduced a rule so that girls who finished behind Hernandez could also receive medals, offering a compromise. AB stayed focused: she said, “I know how hard I’ve worked. That’s what matters.” Her mother, once a Trump supporter, now defends her daughter publicly and urges others to choose love over politics or religion. 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.
‘Kerala Congress MLA Messaged Me On Telegram, Asked For Sex’: Trans Woman
Speaking to NDTV, Ms Vishnu said she first met Rahul Mamkootathil during campaigning for the June 2022 Thrikkakara by-election that the ruling Left Democratic Front’s Uma Thomas won. Kerala transgender activist Avanthika Vishnu – who said Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil sexually harassed her and demanded she submit to his rape fantasy – told NDTV she was initially hesitant about coming forward with the allegations because of his political standing. She had earlier said she flagged her concerns to the Congress but no action was taken. She said she only stepped up after other women, including Malayalam actor Rini George made similar accusations. Ms George, however, did not name the Congress leader; she only said a ‘youth leader of a prominent political party’ had been sending her objectionable messages and invited her to a five-star hotel meet. Mr Mamkootathil has denied all allegations that Ms George was talking about him, but earlier today he stepped down as President of the Congress’ Kerala youth wing and demanded those accusing him – Ms George, Ms Vishnu, and others – make their case in a court of law. Speaking to NDTV, Ms Vishnu said she first met Rahul Mamkootathil during campaigning for the June 2022 Thrikkakara by-election that the ruling Left Democratic Front’s Uma Thomas won. “After the Kerala by-election he messaged me on Facebook to say ‘hi’ and we had a casual conversation. After that he messaged me on Telegram and asked for sex. He wanted to meet in Bengaluru or Hyderabad to play out rape fantasies,” she told NDTV. Asked about waiting for three years before speaking out, Avanthika Vishnu said some of her close friends knew of the harassment but she had hesitated to speak out because “he is a famous MLA in Kerala”. She also said that now that she had, she faces cyber harassment. Ms Vishnu said she had been encouraged to speak after other women also accused him. “I’m afraid he will use his power to destroy evidence… afraid it will come down to my word versus his and he is a famous politician,” she said, appealing for emotional and legal support, for her and for the trans community, from the government, police, and society at large. On Thursday Rini George made similar allegations. “I came in contact with the politician through social media. His inappropriate behaviour began three years ago, when I first received objectionable messages from him,” she said, claiming the political leader in question even offered to book a room at a five-star hotel for her ‘visit’. She accused senior leaders of the concerned party of ignoring her complaints and said the young leader continued to receive prominent positions within the party despite her warnings. Mr Mamkootathil, meanwhile, has denied all charges. He has not yet reacted to allegations from Avanthika Vishnu but, with regard to the earlier claim, said “I challenge the person who complained against me to prove the case in court. No concrete complaint has been filed.” “The actress is my friend, and I don’t believe the person she mentioned was me. She is my good friend and will remain so. I believe that I have not done anything against the law or the Constitution of the country until now,” he added. Asked about an audio clip released by a Malayalam news channel alleging he forced a third woman to terminate a pregnancy, he replied it is not difficult to create such clips today. Reported by:Vasudha Venugopal Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
India’s first Transgender Ventriloquist: Rebelled against father and left home… earned money by applying mehndi… became a girl from a boy after undergoing surgery… now got this honor
At the age of 16, Jaanu decided to choose the path of her dreams. She shifted to Bangalore with the 4,000 rupees given by her elder sister. Jaanu, a resident of Raichur, Karnataka, has become the country’s first transgender ventriloquist artist. She was honored for this achievement in the Influencer Book of World Records-2025 program organized at RIC, Jaipur. Journey from struggle to success Jaanu was born as Abdul Qaddus in a Muslim family. Since childhood, she loved to do makeup, wear saree and admire herself in the mirror. But her family, especially her father, used to be angry with her gestures and way of speaking. Father wanted him to become an electrician, but girlish feelings were growing in Jaanu’s mind. At the age of 16, Jaanu decided to choose the path of her dreams. She shifted to Bangalore with the 4,000 rupees given by her elder sister. There she started working as a professional mehndi artist and spent about 9 lakh rupees from her earnings to get gender reassignment surgery done. The story of becoming Jaanu from Abdul Jaanu told Dainik Bhaskar, “Things of religion, caste and community always suffocated me. That is why I changed my name to ‘Jaanu’. This name is the identity of love and equality, which is above every gender and community.” Jaanu had to face many difficulties in the initial days after changing her gender. Many times she had to ask for money from people wearing suit-salwar. Despite the taunts of the society and being called a transgender, she did not give up. Steps towards Ventriloquism Jaanu was always interested in painting, drawing, Warli art, hairstyling and modelling. One day she saw an artist performing with a puppet on TV and got inspired to learn Ventriloquism. Ventriloquists are those artists who are adept in the art of producing sounds without moving their lips. Such artists often perform on stage with a puppet. There are very few artists of this art in India, especially both men and women. Janu learned this art by doing an online course from Kolkata. She also learned Kannada, Hindi and English, so that she could connect better with the audience during the performance. New identity, new dream Jaanu is currently a BA first year student and is presenting her puppet shows across the country. She has proved that with courage, hard work and passion, anyone can create their own identity. Courtesy: Hindi News
After Rini Ann George, Transgender Woman Alleges Youth Congress Leader Rahul Mamkootathil Of Sexual Assault Attempt And Obscene Messages
Avantika disclosed to the media that she had been receiving sexually explicit messages and calls from Rahul Mamkootathil for an extended period, and she reported these incidents to the BJP Palakkad district president. She stated, “Rahul is a sexual predator and told me to rape him.” After Rini Anna George, Transgender Woman Alleges Youth Congress Leader Rahul Mamkootathil Of Sexual Assault Attempt Rahul Mamkootathil, once a rising star in Kerala politics, resigned as Youth Congress president amid allegations of sending obscene messages. As he stepped down, further accusations of sexual assault and inappropriate communications surfaced. In a separate incident, Avantika, a transgender woman, accused Rahul of being a sexual predator, alleging he made offensive remarks. Avantika revealed to the media that she has been receiving sexually perverted messages and phone calls from Rahul for a long time and that she has told these things to the BJP Palakkad district president. Avantika said, “Rahul is a sexual pervert and he told me to rape him”. Actress Rini Ann George accused Youth Congress leader Rahul of sending obscene messages and misbehaving with her despite warnings, saying he had a careless attitude. Around the same time, phone recordings surfaced suggesting a young woman was forced to have an abortion, and police also received a complaint against Rahul. Following this, Rahul resigned as Youth Congress state president, though he denied the allegations, claiming no one had formally complained against him. Later, BJP leader and social activist Avantika, a trans woman, also came forward with accusations. She said she met Rahul during the Thrikkakara by-election, and though they first became friends on social media, he soon began making inappropriate remarks about sexual frustration and even mentioned rape. Avantika added that Rahul told her he could only meet outside Kerala in cities like Bengaluru or Hyderabad, and she had already informed some Congress leaders and friends about his behavior. Avantika said she had not revealed these matters earlier because she feared for her life, being a public servant and MLA. She explained that she chose to speak out only after actress Rini Ann George made her allegations public. According to Avantika, Rahul even called her on the same day, worried that she might expose him. She added that Rahul usually sends messages on Telegram that disappear after being read once, making it impossible to take screenshots, and this is how he destroys evidence. Written By : Lakshmi Ranjith Edited By : Lakshmi Ranjith Courtesy : News 24 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news24.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Three-day transgender arts fest in Kozhikode from Aug 21
T’puram: Varnapakittu, a three-day annual transgender arts festival, will begin on Thursday in Kozhikode. The first day will feature a national conference with delegates from states that have implemented transgender policies. Another national conference involving subject experts will also take place on the day. The event will include panel discussions on various transgender and queer-related topics and will also feature a film festival centred on transgender themes. Social justice minister R Bindu announced the event schedule on Tuesday. Panel discussions will cover topics such as the health and welfare of transgender individuals, education and employment skills, social justice and human rights. Participants in the panel discussion will include Dr Sanjay Sharma from Indian Association for Transgender Health, SHSRC executive director Dr Jitesh, head of the plastic surgery department at Kottayam Medical College Dr Lakshmi, mental health expert Dr Indu P S, Kerala’s first transgender dentist and public health student Dr Anu Radhakrishnan, social worker and writer Vijayarajamallika, Tamil Nadu’s first transgender assistant professor Dr N Jency, Kerala’s first transgender research student Hrithish Hrithu, human rights activists Saddam Hajjamam and Koyal Ghosh, vice-president of the Tamil Nadu-based ‘SATHI’ Dr L Ramakrishnan, head of gender studies department at MG University Dr Arathi P M, head of social work department at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit Dr Reshma Bharadwaj, member of the state transgender justice board Arjun Geetha, human rights activist and lawyer Adv Padma Lakshmi and Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission’s diversity inclusion manager Prajith P K. 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
NE’s 1st trans doctor wins legal battle to have new identity in academic certs
IMPHAL: Beoncy Laishram, who broke the glass ceiling by becoming the Northeast’s first transgender doctor, won another landmark battle Tuesday when Manipur high court acknowledged her right to have all academic certificates reissued to reflect her “female” name and gender. The court directed the authorities to issue the certificates Beoncy had applied for within a month of the order. Beoncy, born male and known as Boboi Laishram before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Oct 2019, got her Aadhaar, voter ID and PAN updated by producing a transgender certificate issued by the district magistrate of Imphal West. She approached the high court in Feb 2024 after the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, Manipur University and Manipur Medical Council refused to change her name and gender in their records. Beoncy’s counsel Jayna Kothari cited sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, while arguing for her right to have the requisite modifications made in her academic certificates. The law applies to all official documents, including one’s birth certificate. The court ruled that the relevant provisions outlined in sections 6 and 7 of the Act must be incorporated into all laws, rules and regulations governing establishments within Manipur, as defined under Section 2(b) of the legislation. For Beoncy, the judgment comes as “a relief” that she can now build on her career without having to worry about identity confusion. “I have been thinking of specialising in surgery or gynaecology someday. I was scared I would be made to stay in a boys’ hostel just because my academic records say I am a male,” she said. 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.
BMC to develop housing colony for transgender people
Bhubaneswar: To empower the transgender community, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to develop a colony for such landless individuals living in slums. Earlier, the BMC distributed 44 land record certificates (LRC)s among the transgender people. The civic body will now provide financial assistance to construct houses under PM Awas Yojana for the identified transgender people, who were demanding patches of land with land rights for each to construct houses. “We will provide financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh as per the PMAY norms. Selected transgender beneficiaries will take up construction on the same land using their own resources. Since all the eligible individuals have been given LRCs at a particular place, it will be an exclusive colony,” said BMC deputy commissioner Ajay Mohanty. Land rights were distributed to the slum residents as per the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2017, and the Odisha Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022, officials said. A sub-committee scrutinised the survey reports, conducted by a private agency, thoroughly before finalising beneficiaries. “Once the work orders are issued and the transgender people start basic construction work, money will be disbursed in a phased manner,” Mohanty added. 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.
Breaking Barriers: Karnataka’s First Transgender Heavy Vehicle Driver
She is already a well-known transgender rights activist and the founder of the Anita Humanitarian Foundation, an organization dedicated to social upliftment. But that’s not all. In a city where heavy vehicles are almost always associated with men behind the wheel, a transgender woman has made history. Anita Prasad, from Mysuru, has become the first transgender person in Karnataka to receive a heavy vehicle driving license. Her achievement isn’t just about driving a lorry or bus; it’s a powerful statement about equality and inclusion in a sector where gender stereotypes have long reigned. Anita’s journey goes far beyond transportation. She is already a well-known transgender rights activist and the founder of the Anita Humanitarian Foundation, an organization dedicated to social upliftment. But that’s not all. She also heads Vistaric Robotics Company, proving her versatility and determination to push boundaries in innovation as well as social change. For someone who could have stopped at one breakthrough, Anita has instead chosen to straddle industries, from robotics labs to transport depots. A Transport Dream With a Purpose Her next mission is to create opportunities where few exist. Anita is preparing to launch a transport and logistics company that will run services on the Bengaluru–Belagavi route. What makes this unique is her commitment to employing transgender individuals and women as drivers and support staff. By doing this, she aims to carve out respectable and stable jobs for communities that often face prejudice and exclusion. The transport industry in India is largely male-dominated, and women drivers are still treated as exceptions. For transgender people, the barriers are even higher. Anita’s initiative is designed not just to run buses and trucks, but to rewrite the rules of who belongs on the road. Three Months to Take Off The company is expected to be operational within three months, Anita says. She is already working on partnerships with organizations that can help support the venture and create training pipelines. Safety and reliability will be at the heart of the service, she promises, but equally important is the mission to build careers for those who have been systematically left out. Her plan includes identifying marginalized transgender people, helping them secure the proper documents, and providing skill development so they can qualify for employment. By doing so, she hopes to dismantle one of the biggest barriers: lack of access to formal identification and training. Anita’s new license may look like a small piece of laminated plastic, but it represents a much larger struggle and victory. In a country where many still react with surprise when they see women at the wheel of an autorickshaw or a bus, this milestone has the potential to inspire others. It sends a message that opportunities in transport and in life are not limited by gender identity. For Mysuru, Karnataka, and India as a whole, Anita’s story is not just about one woman driving heavy vehicles. It is about steering society toward broader horizons of acceptance, dignity, and equality. Curated By : News Desk Courtesy : News18
GMR group conducts aviation training program for transgender persons in Kochi
With this, beneficiaries will be imparted with domain-specific knowledge and practical skills that will help them enhance employability in the airport and aviation services. GMR Aero Academy Kochi, operating partner of the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) by the Government of Kerala, has commenced a professional training program for transgender beneficiaries under ‘Project Pride’. ‘Project Pride’ is a collaborative initiative supported by the Kerala State Social Justice Department and the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM), a press release informed. Funded by the Social Justice Department of the Kerala government, the training program provides beneficiaries with a 90-day offline course with certification in Airport Operations. The training is delivered by GMR Aero Academy at its Kochi centre. With this, transgender beneficiaries will be imparted with domain-specific knowledge and practical skills that will help them enhance employability in the airport and aviation services. A state-wide webinar was conducted by GMR Aero Academy on January 27, to raise awareness and draw engagement from all over Kerala. The formal inauguration of Project Pride was held on August 4 and was attended by the Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Dr. R Bindu. Commenting on this initiative, CEO of Airport Strategic Initiatives, GMR Group, Andrew Acquaah Harrison stated, “Project Pride is more than a training program – it is a platform for empowerment, dignity, and social inclusion. At GMR, we believe in building opportunities for all, and this collaboration with the Government of Kerala is a testament to what can be achieved when industry and public institutions work together to foster equity. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative.” Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Every Identity Counts: Breaking Barriers for Transgender Youth in India
Education and employment are the bedrock on which individuals build a self-dependent life—or at least, that’s the case for most. For people whose identities don’t conform to societal norms, even accessing basic education or formal employment often becomes an uphill battle. This was the case for Sonali Khan too. A 27-year-old trans woman, Sonali had to drop out of school because of incessant bullying from classmates. Teachers turned a blind eye, and the environment became so hostile that continuing wasn’t an option. When she finally gathered the courage to come out, she was met not with support, but with rejection. Her family abandoned her. The neighbours she grew up with ridiculed her and ignored her plight. Like many transgender youth in India, Sonali was pushed to the margins—not by choice, but by circumstance. According to the National Human Rights Commission of India, nearly 50% of transgender persons never attend school, and only 6% are employed in formal sectors. The rest, like Sonali, often find themselves in informal work or survival-based livelihoods, battling the compounded challenges of stigma, poverty, and exclusion. “I had to leave school when I was in 12th standard because of the daily ridicule, and soon after, my family threw me out,” said Khan, who now lives in Delhi. A person working on a laptop at a desk surrounded by colorful maps and personal items. The challenge of identity documentation Although the last census in 2011 put the number of transgender persons in India at 487,803, the actual figure is expected to be much higher now. Many understandably choose not to disclose their gender identity, and even if they do, they often lack official documents that reflect their true identity. Lack of identity documents, persistent stigma, and poor access to education continue to keep transgender persons away from formal employment. Those who embrace their true identity often start by dropping their “deadname”— the birth name they no longer use. This, however, brings new challenges, especially when accessing government welfare schemes that require valid identity cards. Many transgender people still hold ID cards under their deadnames, making them ineligible for these schemes. Without updated ID documents, they also struggle to find jobs, rent homes, or access healthcare. “Getting a job is not easy if you are a trans person. I applied for over 50 jobs, got called for interviews for three of them, and was promptly dismissed when they realized I was a trans woman,” said Khan. Legal progress and policy measures The Government of India has recognized these challenges—leading to several progressive legal reforms . These include the historic 2014 NALSA Judgement, which affirmed the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which prohibits discrimination and outlines measures for education, employment, and healthcare access.. While these are among the most progressive measures around the world, there is a long way ahead in terms of their implementation. Schemes and initiatives for empowerment In 2022, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched the ‘Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihoods and Enterprise (SMILE)’ scheme. This initiative focuses extensively on rehabilitation, medical facilities, counselling, education, and skill development for the transgender community. SMILE Scheme provides financial assistance to Transgender students in secondary and senior secondary school (classes IX to XII) to promote their education and reduce dropouts. Furthermore, MoSJE has initiated various skill development initiatives though Garima Grehs (Shelter homes) and other partners. These initiatives aim to provide safe housing, training, and support for livelihood opportunities. However, getting more transgender persons to register on the National Transgender Portal, operated by the MoSJE, which is the official government platform for accessing identity cards and welfare schemes, remains a challenge. UNDP’s role in driving change UNDP played an important role in developing the framework document on transgender welfare in India, in collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs). This document serves as a guiding blueprint for government programmes, outlining key priorities and recommendations to improve access to education, employment, healthcare, and social protection for transgender persons. It provided inputs for designing of the SMILE scheme, ensuring it addressed real challenges faced by the community. Additionally, as part of a global initiative, UNDP India worked with community-based organizations in Bihar to help the transgender community obtain Transgender identity cards. The project includes enrolling trans persons in the National Transgender Portal. The portal facilitates the issuance of Transgender Identity Cards through district authorities. Upon successful enrolment, a trans person receives a Transgender Identity Card, which can be used to update documents such as bank accounts and PAN cards with the person’s new name. Further, it will facilitate their access to Government welfare measures. A call for inclusion this International Youth Day While these initiatives are bringing change on the ground, it is time that all stakeholders double down on efforts to usher in a more rapid transformation. This International Youth Day, while we seek to include the younger generation in governance and make them active partners in achieving the SDGs, let us not forget that non-binary and transgender youth, too, have an equal stake—and an active role to play. For Sonali, having her identity recognized is more than a matter of paperwork. It is the difference between being shut out of opportunities and being able to rebuild her life with dignity. Her journey reflects what is at stake for thousands of young transgender persons across India. The world can’t afford to leave them behind if we are truly committed to building inclusive, resilient, and just societies. Their voices, experiences, and leadership are essential to shaping a future where no one is forced to choose between their identity and their dignity. It’s time to move beyond token inclusion and ensure that every young person, regardless of gender identity, has the opportunity to learn, to thrive, and to lead. Blog by Dr. Chiranjeev Bhattacharjya, Programme Analyst – Health, and James Jose, Communications Officer – Health System Strengthening, UNDP India. Courtesy : UNDP India Note: This news is