From Marginalization to Recognition: A Journey of TransgendersFrom Marginalization to Recognition: A Journey of Transgenders

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21352067

Kumari Siddhi and Archana Shukla (Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)

This study focuses on the journey of transgender individuals from being marginalised in society to getting recognition. Transgender individuals are people whose inner sense of gender does not fit with the traditional idea of being male and female. As defined by the American Psychological Association (2024) “Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth”. Though the community has been a part of societies across cultures but their journey has often been marked by several struggles simply for living a life with dignity. Exclusion from family and rejection from friends, difficulties in accessing the basic rights of education and healthcare are a very few examples of challenges they have faced. Some theories focus on how social stigma affects mental health and self-identity and using the theories, this paper emphasises the emotional and social challenges transgender people face. The shift towards the recognition of transgender people marks the legal victories, changes in medical views and more respectful portrayals of them in the media. While progress has been made, discrimination and stigma are still there and there is a need for actions to build a society where transgender individuals can live with respect, support and opportunities.