India, Aug. 2 -- Transgender rights have often been overlooked in the debate on gender despite several steps towards their inclusion - such as the "third gender" option on application forms. Often victims of family conflicts and forced treatments to "correct" them, they remain vulnerable to exploitation and marginalisation - more so given a constant fear of disclosure and potential rejection. This persistent state of fear and anxiety can inflict profound psychological trauma, leading to feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and despair. Parents often exacerbate this, by exerting pressure on children to deny or suppress their true gender identity.

The Transgender Rights Association (TRA), led by Jeeva Rangaraj, has been at the forefront o...