Celebrating Transgender Day — Chandini Gagana
Today, in #TransSeason and in #DalitHistory, we honour the inspirational story of Chandini Gagana, a prolific writer, poet, orator and an activist.
Born in a Dalit family from Karnataka, Chandini writes poignantly about her struggles and her life. Like, everyone else, Chandini began to explore her gender identity as a child. But because she was a transgender girl, she was shunned by her classmates, neighbours, and even her own family. Owing to severe societal pressure, she left home and in search of trans community at the age of 18.
Determined to evolve as an independent activist, Chandini explored several ways to accomplish her ambitions. In 2002, she came in touch with few civil society groups and started working as a co-coordinator building awareness about HIV among the trans community. She was also part of Dalit Mahila Vedike (Dalit Women’s Platform). In 2010, along with 31 activists, Chandini started an organisation named Payana (Journey). The primary objective of Payana is to provide a dignified professional platform for trans community individuals. As one of the founding members of Payana, Chandini’s aspires to bring trans community individuals into mainstream working space.
As part of her women’s rights activism, Chandini is also associated with Karnataka women networks working on violence against women. She is also the President of Sarathya that operates in 23 districts in Karnataka.
Chandini is a well-known name in Kannada literature. Her interest in writing stems from her wanting to change the under-representation of trans narratives in literature. She says that there is a lack of literature that represents the expression, thoughts, and experiences from the trans community and that that has to change. As a writer, she has authored a book with the collection of her poems titled “Manada Kannu” (Eyes of the Mind). One of the breakthrough poems in her collection is “Seesa Naatu” (Something Not Right). It is now taught as part of the curriculum at Kuvempu University. In addition, her poems “Nanna Aasthi” (My Property) and Deha Badalayithu” (Bodies Changed) are taught as part of the curriculum at Belgaum University.
She has won several awards for her writing. Chandini received the Best Writer Award from a trans community organisation Born2Win. In 2018, she was honoured with ‘Kannada Seva Ratna’ (Kannada Service Award) by Kannada Sahithya Parishad (Kannada Literature Association). She has also been honoured with the Nela Thaayi (Mother Earth) Award. She is currently working on a poem collection and her autobiography. Readers should watch for these.
Ideologically, Chandini is one of the few activists within the trans community who has initiated discussion on activism based on intersectionality. She has witnessed a gap in efforts to address caste, class, and intersectionality within trans activism. Recognising the need for discussion of various forms of marginalisation including discrimination based on caste, Chandini plans to build a network of Dalit activists within the trans community. With the introduction of this trans and Dalit network, she hopes to recognise activists from Dalit backgrounds within the community and to bring more substantial visibility to the issues of both gender and caste.
To her determination, relentless struggle, unbending leadership, we salute Chandini Gagana. She has set an example within the trans community as well as outside by evolving into an independent activist, writer, and leader. Today — in Transgender Day and Dalit History Month, we celebrate Chandini’s story of success that stands as an inspiration to many to build a life of dignity and self-respect. Thank you Chandini!
This post was written for Dalit History Month by Ashwini KP based on a personal interview with Chandini Gagana. Ashwini is a researcher and works on issues related to human rights, Dalit women, caste and social exclusion. You can reach her at ashwini.kp16@gmail.com
