Vanishing Point
A Photo-essay
FWD Magazine, Cochin | 2016



Transgender-ism isn’t a concept that isn’t so alien. But at the same time, it’s a confused one whether it’s someone who’s homosexual or even a cross-dresser. Worldwide or in this hometown, artists have taken a moment to express how the ‘thirdgender’ feels. There’s still a sense of ostracism that comes with transgender-ism. In a generation where we strive for the liberty of thoughts, gender still remains under the shadows of doubt. Because the many times, one sees someone a transgender in a train one cannot deny that they sometimes recoil. A few questions lurk in the mind, is he a she? Like these thoughts are kept in the dark is also how many transgenders cloak their stories and voice.


Our family abandoned us, we are homeless, we are not trained for anything because school was hell for us and were forced to quit. I had to go through all kinds of abuses from my school and family, including teachers and cousins. If the government supported us—or at least considered us a little bit—we wouldn’t have to live such a dangerous life; after all we are just children. — Amy
We spend days without food; our friends support us and our family knows that we are suffering but they think this punishment will discipline us. I’m 16. All I want in this age is to be accepted and love with food on my plate and roof over my head; education and all is a luxury. — Pooja
I don’t know why men think they are superior. I have a male body and I just want to get rid of it. Probably their ego cannot take it that I’m denying all that. Which is why we are being hunted like some kind of animals. The only way I could retaliate against this toxic masculinity was to hide whatever features I carry as a male. There’s some kind of magic, some kind of an empowerment happening whenever I get dressed. Feels like I’m being liberated. We spend 3–4 hours to get decked up before meeting clients and that’s my favorite time of the day. — Sweety

It seemed odd that in a generation that celebrates open-mindedness there’s still that discomfort of acceptance. Inspired by how a problem in the past that was once considered unfathomable, and how it could be cured with the power of medicine, we decided to look at how battered minds dealt with the dosages. No matter how much ever they try to fit in, somehow they get outcasted to a place of loneliness and unjust. But now they call it their home. They handpick their family members and provide love and care to each other, which was rejected by their own blood.


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