“I was an unwanted child, even before I was born. My parents had two daughters, and my father wanted to have me aborted. However, it was the will of my mother that made sure I saw the face of the earth. Coming out to the world was tough, but then my childhood and life had prepared me for it. I was bullied by my siblings all my life, and I knew I couldn’t count on anyone besides my mother in my family.
It was only after moving to Chennai that I was sure about my sexual orientation. I slowly started coming out to my friends and eventually to the world. But it was difficult talking about it to my family. Right when I had made up my mind to tell my mother, she was diagnosed with cancer, and the battle got tougher. I couldn’t muster the courage to talk to her about it. But one day she sat me down and told me that she’s fine if I didn’t get married, but also asked me not to stay at home if she’s not around. A week after that, she passed away. It was as if she knew it all the while. I was all by myself.
With not a place to even change my sanitary napkin, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere. I was not comfortable asking for help and had to find my way out. I managed to find my ground eventually and started working my way up. I have been speaking about the struggles of being a lesbian in a conservative society. My mentor Pa. Ranjith went on to produce my documentary film ‘Ladies and Gentlewomen’. We screened the film at many national and international film festivals. The movie received many awards and recognitions internationally, and that’s how people started noticing me.
I don’t have both my parents, now, but blessings in life came in the form of a lesbian couple who adopted me. And corona played the angel by bringing me closer to my mom’s side of the family. They welcomed me into their home when the lockdown began, and I have never been happier because I now have a family around, and I don’t have to hide my identity to have them by my side!
I wish to build a safe space for everyone out there like me, who deserves to be treated right! I want to be the go-to place for all those who need a place to stay because society thinks it can corner them. I have been working hard to help women like me find a space in the film industry and otherwise. I have been part of numerous movements, and I can only say that the journey in the direction of equality has just begun!”
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