Revathi: A Life in Trans Activism

“An unforgettable book, A Life in Trans Activism will leave the reader questioning the ‘safe’ and ‘comfortable’ binaries of male/female that so many of us take for granted.” – Feminism in India Born in Southern India to a conservative family of modest means, it wasn’t long before Revathi noticed she wasn’t comfortable participating in life as a man. This realisation set her on a long and winding search for survival and for a life on her terms. From the supportive yet strict—and at times exploitative—hijra communities to non-profit spaces rife with other forms of discrimination, Revathi made a name for herself as a fearless advocate for sexual minorities and Dalit rights. In an intimate, months-long conversation with Nandini Murali, Revathi speaks not only about her own journey but also about the obstacles and challenges faced by another, oft-overlooked part of Indian society: trans men. The result is a free-flowing and brutal account of life on the margins that is also shot through with the bright lights of friendship, determination, and solidarity.