Volume V Special Issue IV October 2025

Name of Author : Rajashree Sahoo, Dr. Ayuta Mohanty

Title of the paper : From Rejection to Dialogue: Family Acceptance in A. Revathis A Life in Trans Activism

Abstract: Family acceptance plays a crucial role in the lives of transgender persons, often determining whether they experience belonging or exclusion. In India, where rigid gender norms and cultural notions of family honor dominate, rejection by natal families frequently compels transgender individuals to seek alternative kinship in hijra households. This paper examines A. Revathis A Life in Trans Activism 2016 to trace the shift from personal rejection to collective dialogue about family acceptance. While her earlier autobiography, The Truth About Me, foregrounds the pain of estrangement, the sequel highlights how activism transforms individual suffering into public advocacy. Through educational outreach, storytelling, and community engagement, Revathi challenges stigma, sensitizes parents and institutions, and reframes family acceptance as both a private necessity and a political demand. Drawing on queer kinship theories and intersectional frameworks, this paper argues that Revathis activism not only redefines kinship structures but also positions family acceptance as central to social justice for transgender people in India.

Keywords : Hijra, kinship, activism, autobiography, stigma

DOI :

Page Number : 212-221