The first ever dedicated beauty pageant for transgenders - 'Vcare Indian Super Queen' kicked off in Mumbai on Monday. The contestants shall be judged on the basis of their creativity, special skills and confidence, and the grand finale shall be held in Mumbai on February 21,' transgender activist Laxmi Narain Tripathi told media persons here.
The contest will aim to bring out the community of transgenders, urge them to unite and emit positive vibes about what they are and what they can do. It is not about who is the best and most aesthetically beautiful, but about who is willing to proudly display their character, take pride in who they are and to prove that they are as human as the rest of us,' Laxmi Narain Tripathi, who attained fame after a reality television show, said. Her company, Twelve Noon Entertainment has tied up with Vcare, a diversified business conglomerate for the mega event, said Tripathi, flanked by Bollywood actors Celina Jaitely and Seema Biswas.
Besides Mumbai, the contest auditions and eliminations shall be held in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar and Jaipur, she said. The chosen contestants would compete in the semi-finals and the 12 semi-finalists would then undergo rigorous training, grooming and personality sessions to face the grand finale, which would be judged by Bollywood hunk Salman Khan, the former oomph girl Zeenat Aman, socialite Parmeshwar Godrej and fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani.
The top three contestants shall get prizes of Rs 1.20 lakh, Rs.800,000 and Rs.500,000, respectively. Speaking on the occasion, Celina said: 'It's a pleasure to live in a country where human rights and equality amongst all are appreciated. It's time for much-suppressed 'kinnars' (eunuchs or transgenders) to come up on the stage and show the world that beauty exists in all human beings - gender has nothing to do with it.' Image: Laxminarayan Tripathi, left, the first transgender to represent a Civil Society Task Force for the UN General Assembly President's Office, and others pose for photographs with contestants of a beauty pageant for transgenders in Mumbai on January 11, 2010. Endorsing her views, Tripathi added that all transgenders are keen to blend with the society and be seen nothing less than a female. 'Whatever they do, no matter how much they alter ourselves, they will always be who they are and should celebrate and be thankful to have the opportunity to live life, possess the natural gift to gift love and be loved,' she urged.
Endorsing her views, Tripathi added that all transgenders are keen to blend with the society and be seen nothing less than a female. 'Whatever they do, no matter how much they alter ourselves, they will always be who they are and should celebrate and be thankful to have the opportunity to live life, possess the natural gift to gift love and be loved,' she urged.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
First Ever Transgender Beauty Contest 2010, Vcare Indian Super Queen, Photos, Images
Saturday, April 4, 2009
list of Transgender films
In English, we have many notable Transgender themed films like The Beautiful Boxer, Soldier's girl, Normal, TransAmerica and Boys don't cry. Among the Indian languages, there have been a few films in Hindi and in Tamil.
In Hindi Dharmiyan, Tamanna, Shabnam Mousi and Dhaayra were notable. In Tamil, we have Navarasa and Achupizhai. Reputed Indian cinematographer/Director Santhosh Sivan made a beautiful and touching film on the Indian Transgendered community called 'Navarasa'. It received National Film Award and several other film awards across the globe. Unfortunately, the movie did not reach the 99 % of the audience because it was not a commercial film..
The purpose of the film or its message, as I understood after watching it on DVD (given to me by a media student), was to let the world know the life struggles of Transgenders. Santhosh succeeded in winning awards but the film has reached only very few segments of the public.
The film media has finally realized that Transwomen are 'human beings too'. Currently four films are being made in Tamil with Transgenders in the lead or in an important character.
1. Thenavettu starring Tamil Hero Jeeva has Revathi (author of a book) in an important role along with other Transgenders.
2.Naan Kadavul has a transgender in a posiive role.
3. Paal, the first Tamil film which is all about a transwoman's life - starring Transwoman Karpaga in the laed role and several other Transwomen working for the film, Paal is a much expected film among Transwomen of Tamilnadu.
4. Nandalala, a film by Mishkin, has classical dancer and transgender woman Lakshya in an important rolehow to become girly -tips for boys
Work on your hair and nails. If you have time, you might consider growing out your hair and nails and then getting a feminine haircut and a manicure. If you are looking for a quick change, there are a number of wigs available on the market which can help you pass as a girl. Make sure that your fingernails are well groomed with a fresh coat of paint.
Step2
Deal with your body hair. If you are considering pretending to be a girl for more than one day, you might think about getting a full body wax. A full body wax may be painful, but it is worth the trouble, as it can leave your body smooth and hair-free for up to a month. If you aren't willing to get waxed, shave your entire body and then protect your skin with a quality lotion.
Step3
Choose the right underwear when pretending to be a girl. Panties are important, as they will help to hide your male parts, so choose tight yet comfortable cotton underwear that can hold everything in. A bra is also important, and should fit comfortably around your chest while offering your desired cup size. You can simply stuff your bra with tissue, or purchase rubber falsies which offer a more realistic look and feel.
Step4
Wear a skirt only if you happen to have thin, feminine legs, and then only with stockings or nylons to help you get your girly look. Tight, low cut stretch pants are often a better choice for men pretending to be girls. Avoid low cut tops which can give away your fake breasts, instead choosing high-cut, tight tops which cover your arms and chest.
Step5
Select shoes that you can manage. Your first instincts may be to purchase a pair of high heels, but if you aren't practiced in walking in them, you'll soon have troubles. Instead, choose a cute pair of flats or even strappy sandals so that you are comfortable when pretending to be a girl.
Step6
Accessorize. If you have your ears pierced you will have a world of earring choices, but if not, simply look for a nice pair of clip ons. Don't forget rings, bracelets and necklaces and of course, a stylish purse.
Step7
Practice putting on your makeup when pretending to be a girl. Most women have years of practice doing themselves up just right; however, you will need to spend an afternoon in front of the mirror with a number of products, learning how to apply your makeup and choose the right colors. When possible, recruit a girlfriend to help you out.
In search of dignity
The portrayal of transgenders on the Tamil screen has been insensitive, but this is set to change, says Lakshmy Venkiteswaran.
Megaserials such as Kolangal and Arase on Sun TV have characters that depict transgenders in powerful roles
This is evident from the insensitive portrayal of transgenders in Tamil films, which more often than not associate aravanis with sexual innuendos and double entendres. Films such as Jayam (2003), Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), Eeraman Rojave (1983) and Thiruda Thirudi (2003) have used aravanis for comic relief - making fun of their mannerisms and dress.
This is a far cry from Hilary Swank's Oscar winning performance as the protagonist in Boys Don't Cry, which is based on the life of Brandon Teena, a young transman who was raped and murdered in 1993 by his male friends after they found out about his sexuality.
"Indian comedians lack the creativity needed to come up with fresh comedy. As human beings, we lack empathy and that reflects in the comedy tracks featuring transgenders," says Rose.
However, this is set to change. Her talk show has not only received rave reviews but also changed the stereotypical image of a transgender.
"The public is, for the first time, seeing a transgender being articulate, sociable, intelligent and beautiful. My show has paved the way for transgenders to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."
Rose, who plans to make a film that portrays transgenders in a different light, says that lack of acceptance by the society is not limited to India. "People should realise that we are the way we are not to make anyone laugh," she says.
Megaserials such as Kolangal and Arase on Sun TV have characters that depict transgenders in powerful roles. In Arase, Bubloo plays the transgender Ganga who is pursued by police.
In one episode, she is arrested and thrown into cell full of males where she is harassed.
7 "I love her dialogue in this episode. It's a reflection of the problems that we face everyday.
Access to public toilets, for instance, is a serious problem. The government needs to formulate special plans to help us cope with society," says June, a transgender in Chennai.
In the Tamil film Appu (2000), the villain is a transgender, Maharani, a power-hungry pimp who eliminates anyone she perceives as a threat.
"Ganga and Maharani are negative characters but you cannot generalise this," adds June.
"There are good and bad people everywhere and transgenders are no different from the rest!" Navarasa, directed by Santosh Sivan, is one of the few films that show the life of aravanis.
Told through the eyes of young Swetha, who is shocked been discovering that her beloved uncle is a woman in a man's body, the film captures the annual Koothandavar festival in Koovagam. Commercially, Navarasa was a nonstarter but the film won much critical acclaim and also the National Award (2005) for the Best Regional Movie.
"If Navarasa had commercial elements such as a dream sequence with the lead pair gyrating to peppy beats, it may have garnered different response. Very few, even among the literate, appreciate meaningful cinema such as Navarasa. The times are changing and awareness has increased about the transgender community, but more needs to be done in terms of policies and laws," says Ameer, the director of the film Paruthiveeran.
Debutant director Kadhir, of the soon-to-be released Tamil film Thenavattu, says his movie will set the benchmark for portrayal of aravanis in Tamil cinema. "We even feed a stray dog but we wouldn't want to help these people. They resort to begging and prostitution because of lack of employment. My film throws a differ ent light on this community. We need to learn to empathise and also change our attitude towards aravanis," he says.
Legislative concerns Homosexual relations are still a crime in India under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which dates back to 1860 The vague nature of the legislation has resulted in it being used against a wide range sexual behaviour such as oral sex (heterosexual and homosexual), sodomy, and bestiality The punishment ranges from 10 years to life imprisonment No major Indian political party has raised endorsed gay rights in their party mani festo or platform. However, a politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Brinda Karat, did in 2003 write an open letter to the then minister for law and justice, Arun Jaitley, demanding a repeal of Section 377.Published on the New Indian Express (Chennai edition of the 18 may 2008) by lakshmy@epmltd.com
I was imprisoned in a male body, until a surgeon's knife cut me free
Soon after I turned 13, my mirror stopped being my friend. The school uniform added a compulsory turban to my head, and nature added hair to my face. 
Clothes were nice if they were my mother's and long hair was fine when it was in plaits, instead of being wound inside a turban. Games were fun as long as they were 'Teacher' and 'Housekeeping' and not cricket; preferred companions were girls and not boys. But then I was Gunraj from Chandigarh, today I am Gazal, 25.
And if you just looked at my picture again to check how masculine (or feminine) I look now, I will not blame you. It is the most natural reaction from a society, which unconsciously enforces a rigid distinction between genders. Any blur on this line is generally laughed at. Yet, I must tell you the story of my gender change, my liberation. Because there are thousands of people who feel trapped in their bodies. They hide instincts for fear of rejection, uncertain whether it is right to feel and want what everyone around them finds wrong. I want people to know how I survived 25 years in a role I did not choose for myself. A role which I played day after day without any hope of the curtain falling.
When I was often told that I was girlish, I was totally confused. The condescending voices opened taps of guilt deep inside, but somewhere even deeper, rivers of happiness sprang from that acknowledgment of my true self. But the happiness made me feel guiltier because no one told me that it was all right to be happy.
One of my happier childhood memories is of a school drama, in which I played a female character. During rehearsals, I was the most excited actor. Dressed in a pretty skirt for the performance, I told my father that I would be adjudged the Best Supporting Actress, if my performance was good. Best Supporting Actor, he corrected. I argued and tried to pick holes in his argument. But reason and logic were on his side; I only had a mess in my head. A transsexual child is forever trapped in this quest for identity, and in finding ways to evade the mocking laughter and derogatory names hurled by taunting peers. There is a sinking feeling all along that I do not fit in, that I never will fit in.
Puberty is a tough time for everybody, a time when one tries to understand one's sexuality. In that age of unanswered questions, I distinctly remember getting goosebumps watching a provocative music video by a male pop singer. And in the numerous sleepless nights that followed, it dawned on me, for the first time with a sense of absoluteness, that I was different, and would always be. For years to come, I was to think how unfair it was of God to make me gay.
But thankfully God did not leave me without anything. Today, I do not value academics much, but through my growing up years, I was considered a "bright child", "good orator" and a "very disciplined student". But for me my worth was in my singing, writing and histrionics. Recently, when I met my ex-schoolmates and teachers, they had high opinions about my student days. Said one, "Gunraj, I used to think it so unfair that you had every enviable quality in you." While another said, "I wouldn't have imagined you as anything, but a truly happy child."
I give my family the entire credit for still having been able to retain a sane mind. My stress found an equal opposition in the love I constantly got from my parents, my extended family and later, my friends. Initially, my parents could not comprehend how a boy could feel like a girl, yet they never gave up trying to understand, and never gave up on me. They would ask me to try and change the way I thought. I would wail: "It is not about the way I think, it is about the way I am. I do not choose to be like this, Papa. I was born this way. Why don't you go and try living as a member of the opposite gender?"
They did not punish me even when they found out that I would impersonate a girl and chat to strangers over the phone. When I ran away from home before my board exams, they brought me back and loved me even more. My brother, sister and relatives stood by me and held me tight when I teetered at the edge of a precipice.
The board exams went well, so did the entrance exams and I was admitted to a well-known engineering college. Thus I went to spend four years of my life in a boys' hostel. I was prepared to be an oddity there, ready for the remarks-"Always goes to the bathroom to change!" "Speaks so effeminately!" "Walk is so girly!" What I was not prepared, however, was for the severe ragging. Despite those unmentionable horrors of the first year, those four years are the most beautiful time of my life. In the cacophony of mocking voices and laughter, there were a few precious faces, which became my dear friends. I think it was in those years that I started realising that it was all right to be happy with myself. College life gave me freedom and the chance to explore my extra-curricular interests. Besides singing, debating and directing college plays, I would sneak out and watch late-night movies and go on trips with friends.
After completing college, I found myself sitting in the massive office of a software giant, gazing at the computer screen. A studio apartment, the company bus, my desk and the office dormitory summed up my entire world. I was rated among the top 10 per cent of the company's 20,000-strong work force. I never objected to an 18-hour workday because it kept me from the jeering whispers in the corporate hallways.
It was hard to trust anyone now. The fear of rejection kept me from accepting anybody new in my life. I desperately wanted to run away again, but I realised that the only thing to run away from was my own self. There were times, however, when the pangs of loneliness were so acute that I would look for a companion in gay websites. I would also meet men occasionally, but they were looking for a 'man' in me-my whole life had been about not being one. Gradually, I understood that gender dysphoria is not the same as being gay. While the causes of stress in both conditions might be similar to an extent, the conditions themselves are quite different.
A homosexual man, for instance, might have no problem in wearing a formal shirt and tie to office every day, while that particular dress code of my company was one of the three main reasons I decided to quit! My extremely peaceful and dull place of posting was the second. The third reason was an attempt to 'fit in' somewhere.
So I moved to Mumbai-my city of dreams. I was doing a one-year diploma in filmmaking. I was I happy that I had made the right career choice, and filmmaking was a sedative to the pain I could never completely learn to live with.
A year passed in a flash, and it was time to choose subjects for our final documentary films, which had to be made in groups of six. When I proposed 'Transsexuality' as a theme, only two friends who knew my condition raised their hands in support. That was perhaps the most important moment of my life. Soon enough, three more friends joined in, and the group was complete. The title suggested was 'To Be or Not To Be'. It sounded perfect, but something inside me said that it would change. The new name occurred to me the next morning-To be… ME.
I had never had any plans of coming out of the closet for the film; but that was the case with all the transgenders we met. Soon I realised that I was expecting others to face the demons, which I could not face. Now it was time to accept, love and celebrate being myself. Almost magically, the day I decided to face the camera, we started discovering others who were willing, and even excited, to share their stories! In my heart, I knew it was God's way to tell me that He supported my decision. To Be… ME turned out to be the best film of the year.
I had been reading about Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) for many years, but my research for making the film had reassured me that it was not only all right to be happy, but it was my right to be happy. "So, when are you going for it?" was the first question my father asked after seeing the film. And ever since that question, there has been no looking back.
A year-and-a-half ago, I started my gender reassignment procedure, which will probably go on for another year. Frankly, this period of transformation is not one of the most convenient-socially, physically or emotionally. I was fortunate to be hired as an assistant by a veteran filmmaker and the staff at my office is truly godsend. They do their best to understand the issue and go out of their way to ensure my comfort in this period of transition. In the last 20 months my inner-self is slowly, but surely, taking its form in the mirror. I am thrilled to get compliments that I have always pined for, and it is musical to hear the taxi driver ask, "Madam, kahaan jaana hai?"
On October 19, 2007, my male genitals were replaced by female genitalia through vaginoplasty. Dr Chettawut performed the surgery in Bangkok. Currently, I down four tablets a day, a part hormone therapy, which has to be continued throughout my life. I am also undergoing electrolysis for removal of facial hair. This will continue for one more year. Finding myself cost me around Rs 5.5 lakh, including Dr Chettawut's fee of $7,000.
Thailand is renowned for male-to-female SRS. In my three-week stay, I saw patients of different nationalities, races and ages. Dr Chettawut performs around 20 vaginoplasties every month. It melted my heart to see a middle-aged woman accompanying her 'husband' for 'his' surgery. The 'husband' was a transsexual woman. I had read on the internet about such cases, where a spouse turns into a companion for a transsexual person, but to actually see it was like witnessing the purest form of love.
The surgeon's certificate identifies me as an "infertile female". Both are strong words. For most, the first might be stronger; for me, it is the second one. Being a mother, after all, is not just about the ability to give birth. Being transsexual, also, is not just about looking masculine or feminine. And the condition itself is not psychological. The bottom line is that gender dysphoria needs a medical correction. And an SRS is only as unnatural as any other surgery.
The sooner a transsexual person can start their gender reassignment procedure, the easier is the transition, and the better, the visible results. But at the same time, one must be mature enough to understand one's priorities. If 'infertile' is the stronger word for you, or if you're doing this for anybody except yourself, think again!
I still have a lot of catching up to do. I badly need to get some humour and spontaneity into my life. Then there is an urgent need to catch up on clothes, shoes, earrings and makeup. But there is this one thing I caught up with, recently and not many people do that-Life!
Published in 'The Week' dated 09-03-2008
Visit Ghazal's Blog http://gazalhopes.blogspot.com/
A beautiful story titled Paal (gender)
Kollywood will be witnessing a new genre of film. The transgenders seem to be setting foot almost everywhere from television anchoring to arts. This time, it’s a new film starring a transgender heroine. The film is titled Paal also meaning gender in Tamil. It is the story of the neglected state of transgenders in the society today. The director of the movie Shivakumar to understand what it felt like to be a transgender has spent a full two months with them in Mumbai. The result of this two-month hunt was Ms Karpaka, who has now been roped in as the heroine. ‘Paal’ will launch choreographer Kadhal Kadas as a hero and paired with him will be Karpaka.
Yet another interesting feature is that the assistant director of the movie is Living Smile Vidya, another transgender who rose to fame with her book, I am Vidya, recently. ‘Paal’ is based on the relationship between the lead pair and how Karpaka fears letting out her original identity to the man she loves and thus avoids him and his love. Karpaka plays the role of a short film maker. Whether she is accepted by the society she belongs to, and the man she loves, forms the climax. The shooting of this film is progressing well and slated for an August release.
see more photos of Ms KarpakaA Lifestyle Distinct: The Muxe of Mexico
Photos by Katie Orlinsky for The New York Times: AT THE DEBUT Carmelo López Bernal, 13, at the recent annual town-wide muxe celebration, the occasion for his first appearance in the identity of a girl.
SEE MORE PHOTOS
Mexico City — Mexico can be intolerant of homosexuality; it can also be quite liberal. Gay-bashing incidents are not uncommon in the countryside, where many Mexicans consider homosexuality a sin. In Mexico City, meanwhile, same-sex domestic partnerships are legally recognized — and often celebrated lavishly in government offices as if they were marriages.
But nowhere are attitudes toward sex and gender quite as elastic as in the far reaches of the southern state of Oaxaca. There, in the indigenous communities around the town of Juchitán, the world is not divided simply into gay and straight. The local Zapotec people have made room for a third category, which they call “muxes” (pronounced MOO-shays) — men who consider themselves women and live in a socially sanctioned netherworld between the two genders.
“Muxe” is a Zapotec word derived from the Spanish “mujer,” or woman; it is reserved for males who, from boyhood, have felt themselves drawn to living as a woman, anticipating roles set out for them by the community.
Anthropologists trace the acceptance of people of mixed gender to pre-Colombian Mexico, pointing to accounts of cross-dressing Aztec priests and Mayan gods who were male and female at the same time. Spanish colonizers wiped out most of those attitudes in the 1500s by forcing conversion to Catholicism. But mixed-gender identities managed to survive in the area around Juchitán, a place so traditional that many people speak ancient Zapotec instead of Spanish.
Not all muxes express their identities the same way. Some dress as women and take hormones to change their bodies. Others favor male clothes. What they share is that the community accepts them; many in it believe that muxes have special intellectual and artistic gifts.
Every November, muxes inundate the town for a grand ball that attracts local men, women and children as well as outsiders. A queen is selected; the mayor crowns her. “I don’t care what people say,” said Sebastian Sarmienta, the boyfriend of a muxe, Ninel Castillejo García. “There are some people who get uncomfortable. I don’t see a problem. What is so bad about it?”
Muxes are found in all walks of life in Juchitán, but most take on traditional female roles — selling in the market, embroidering traditional garments, cooking at home. Some also become sex workers, selling their services to men. .
Acceptance of a child who feels he is a muxe is not unanimous; some parents force such children to fend for themselves. But the far more common sentiment appears to be that of a woman who takes care of her grandson, Carmelo, 13.
“It is how God sent him,” she said.
Katie Orlinsky contributed reporting from Juchitán, Mexico.
Transgender to play lead in Tamil flick
Definitions and Glossary of Common Trans-Terms
Definitions and Glossary of Common Trans-TermsAndrogynous:Term for someone presenting not male or female. Quite often a state of someone just prior to going full time.Full Time:When a person begins presenting as the opposite sex all the time. Also sometimes known as “Real Life Test/Experience”Transition:The act of changing ones presentation to the opposite sex full time. The process of change that a person goes through while changing their sex.Pass or Passing:Attempting to dress as the opposite sex without being figured out by the general population. Harry Benjamin Standards of Care (SOC):North American organizations standardizing the requirements for Trans-care in North America. Sets the standards for medical and psychiatric treatment of Trans-people. Currently SOC version 6. http://www.hbigda.org/Transsexualism has three criteria (SOCv6):1. The desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to make his or her body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex through surgery and hormone treatment;2. The transsexual identity has been present persistently for at least two years;3. The disorder is not a symptom of another mental disorder or a chromosomal abnormality.Crossdresser:Someone who dresses as the opposite sex for non-sexual reasons. Usually has Gender Dysphoria to some degree except the feelings are not strong enough to require transition. A mild form of transsexualism.Intersexed:A man or woman who has a mixture of male and female sexual organs. Previously known as Hermaphrodite.Transvestite:Someone who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex for sexual fetish or recreational reasons.Transgenderist:Someone who does not dress attempting to “pass” in public. Sometimes referred to as androgynous. Generally wears male and/or female clothing but uses no artificial aids to enhance their appearance. (ie. Breast forms, Binding, Wigs or Packers, etc)Transgendered (Ontario Human Rights Commission):Umbrella term referring to anyone who crosses traditional gender norms for a man or woman in society. Refers to people who are not comfortable with or who reject, in whole or in part, their birth-assigned gender identities. It includes transsexuals, cross-dressers and intersexed individuals. The personal characteristics that are associated with gender identity include self-image, physical and biological appearance, behaviour and conduct, as they relate to gender. Gender identity is fundamentally different from a person’s sexual orientation.Cisgendered:Someone whose mind and body are congruent with their gender and sex .Drag Queen/Drag King:A performer who presents as the opposite sex for entertainment, usually within the context of a Drag Show.Gender Dysphoria:Someone with persistent discomfort with his or her sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex.Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS):Also referred to by the Montreal clinic as GRS. Reconstructive surgery performed on transsexuals to make the body (sex) congruent with the psyche (gender identity). Sometimes called “Sex Change Surgery”.Transphobia:A form of discrimination (akin to homophobia) directed towards Transgendered individuals based on an irrational fear or hate. Perpetrators of this form of prejudice can be LGBQ or Straight individuals. According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, “There are, arguably, few groups in our society today who are as disadvantaged and disenfranchised as transgenderists and transsexuals. Fear and hatred of transgenderists and transsexuals combined with hostility toward their very existence are fundamental human rights issues.”
welcome
i am a crossdresser and want to dress up like girls
i just surf lot of info abt cding and mackup ,hair
i made this blog to put them all in one place i like waring sarees a lot with of flowers in hair and with full mack up ...