Sowmya Tamanna Gupta
Birthplace:
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Residence:
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Qualification:
B.Sc.
Inspiration:
Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and other elderly in the community
PROUD AND IN LOVE: WITH SELF
Working as an Associate Programme Manager with the Humsafar Trust in Mumbai (the oldest LGBTQ+ organisation in India), she has helped found many transgender organisations, including Triveni Samaj Vikas Kendra.
She started at the grassroots level and is now working with key stakeholders, government, non-government organisations and UN agencies. For the past two decades, she has spread awareness about LGBTQ+ rights and advocated gender equality. It is tough to believe she is an introvert as she goes vocal about her thoughts. Sowmya is a transgender activist who believes things will only change when society changes its outlook.
“Being a transgender person is not a disorder, neither mental nor physical; it is another part of the human condition that makes us unique. If something needs to be changed, it’s not us or our perceptions about ourselves but the discrimination and injustice from mainstream society,” she begins. Her efforts have made many individuals realise that nothing will change by being in shadow and waiting for someone to come and do wonders. Unless the ones who feel it go through atrocities come out, stand and speak, mainstream society will not understand and accept them.
Sowmya was born male in a middle-class family in Andhra Pradesh. Even before starting school, she knew herself as a girl – unaware of the reality and what was awaiting her. As she entered the real world, people started judging her for how she behaved and things began to change for her. “As a child, I was sure my parents, my family would have something for me, some support, some words of love, some sort of confusion clearing. But well… nothing. They had nothing to offer. More than broken and all the more lonely now, I was shocked. How could a family not support a child, is what I grew up wondering.”
Gradually, with age, she realised she would have to keep faith in herself, stop listening to what people say and never question her identity. “I couldn’t allow others to set the rules for my life. I was a teenager; along with a lot of confusion, regrets, negativity and discrimination, I was also turning against a lot of people around me. I left home when I was 18. It was difficult, rough and I often tumbled, but here I am now!”
Turning point
When she left home, she had some plans—to complete her education. The unfulfilled dream was a setback. The lack of support, the discrimination, the abuse in all its forms, pushed her away from a career she wanted and at the same time, pushed her forward to achieve more.
Sowmya grew up suddenly in 2000 – emotionally and mentally – and she never looked back. She got an opportunity to work as a field worker with Triveni and Navnirman Foundation in 2004. “The work here had my heart,” she remembers. She worked hard and various accolades came her way; people could barely believe a transgender person was winning and doing well! In 2010, she had a significant breakthrough when she got an opportunity to work with the Humsafar Trust. Starting small, she is now the Associate Programme Manager.
Until now, her journey describes the way one can prove their capabilities given an opportunity. “It doesn’t matter what gender one belongs to; no one has the right to judge, criticise or point fingers because they don’t fit their definition. Everyone has a right to live the way they want. At times, external support too matters. I found my support in just about time, I was lucky. For many others, who are not as lucky, don’t punish them. Be kind to those whom you can’t help,” suggests Sowmya.
The NALSA judgement came as a waft of breath of fresh air. She adds, “Some people began considering us a part of society. Though we are still hoping to get equal fundamental rights without any politics around, the trans-community will have its place soon.”
All this while, her personal life, however, was still an upheaval. She looked for comfort that her family couldn’t provide, but the transgender community did! But there was something that was still amiss, and this was scattered pieces of herself and the community. “It hurts to see every transgender person in shambles. The organisations encouraged me and I pledged to bring them together. Yes, it was a challenge for an introvert like me – the task I had set upon needed a lot of aggression. People mistook me often but it all eventually came together. I am happy about that!”
True to her name, Sowmya is full of compassion and warmth. “I want to spread awareness, impart sex education, help the transgender community understand the dangers of HIV and reach maximum people through support groups. It has become my passion.” She loves reading books, especially on Swami Vivekananda.
Everyone has the right to breathe
As a part of her work, she interacts with bureaucrats and tries to bring a change to her community. An ill-treated, abused and trashed child, she did not give up because there was no support. “I couldn’t have, could I!” No abuse could make her give up on her dreams. She has proven herself and has been appreciated nationally for her efforts. Her papers have been published internationally. “When society talked me down, I talked to myself, my community supported me and my belief in me only grew stronger.”
She has come stronger than her family could expect her to, yet she has many questions to ask: Why transgender people are denied jobs? Why do kids start discrimination in schools? “It’s like a basic science, like pulling water out of a well. You pull the lever, you get a bucket full of water. Society gives us space to grow, we contribute to society. Doesn’t it always happen like that? We can’t deny different kinds of people, some good, some bad; it holds for the transgender community as well, some are opportunistic and others are helping. Society needs to be empathetic towards us, accept us and give us a chance to grow. We just want acceptance for what we are and who we are.”
To conclude, she says, “Everyone looks with a straight eye, views what’s visible; fun is when you see the world in rainbow colours, when you find a rainbow in unexpected places. Should we rather not search for rainbows!”
An inspiring individual who has grown leaps and bounds—in short, Sowmya!
VISION FOR THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
Sowmya wants to bring the community together. “Everyone has the right to education and when treated equally, we can do wonders too. We have examples in Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Sathyasri Sharmila, Naaz; there are many success stories now!” She continues to say that proper training, guidance and exposure are critical for everyone to grow.
MESSAGE FOR THE MAINSTREAM SOCIETY
Discrimination happens to many groups, gender, colour, caste, region, creed, whatnot! But mainstream society needs to understand that these discriminations are created by them, not by God; “what we are is because we are sent like this by God. We, like everyone, were brought into this world with parents who were filled with emotions but society’s beliefs have pushed us all to not feel those emotions. This emotional barrier is a great deal to recover from. Treat us equally; we have it in us to progress professionally. We too can contribute immensely to society. And we want to be happy too….”
FIVE FACTS ABOUT SOWMYA
She wanted to do her master’s in microbiology.
Her biggest strength is self-belief.
She loves Indian food. She can eat dal chawal every day of her life.
She is self-reliant and full of warmth.
She won’t talk much, but whenever she will, she will leave you pensive.
