The White Post Special
Q: How did your family react when they discovered you were transgender?
A: My family, especially my parents, reacted violently when they discovered I was transgender. They beat and tortured me in an attempt to stop me from expressing my true identity.
Q: What led you to leave home at the age of 12, and where did you go?
A: Harassment at school and my family’s violent reactions led me to leave home when I was 12. My mother was concerned about me and my safety but she also failed in front of our father, who denied accepting my reality. After facing rejections, I went to Rawalpindi, where I found acceptance and support among other transgender friends.
Q: Who was your first guru, and what kind of support did they provide?
A: My first guru was Madiha, another transgender. She provided advice and support, teaching me the skills necessary for survival, such as earning a living by dancing at functions and later begging when circumstances required.
Q: How did your life change after you changed yourself at 30?
A: As a get of 30 years, I changed my lifestyle, left feminine attires and started wearing men’s clothes. However, societal acceptance remained elusive, and I faced unemployment and discrimination, even when doing cleaning jobs.
Q: What are your aspirations now, and what challenges do you face?
A: I aspire to dedicate my life to serving God and preaching His word. Despite my willingness to work in churches or even as a peon, I face challenges with societal acceptance and struggle to find opportunities for meaningful employment.
Q: How do you perceive societal acceptance now compared to your past life?
A: Society did not accept me when I was living as a transgender individual involved in dancing and begging, and it still does not fully accept me even after changing myself as per societal religious lifestyle.