Voicing the violence on the third gender through select memoirs of Indian Transwomen

The present paper explores different aspect of gender-based oppression with a major focus on third gender psychological and physical violence by society, family and their own community. Findings from past studies show that their choice of sexuality becomes the reason of their suppression and they suffer from physical and emotional atrocities; it has been happening since ages but is less explored. The study shows how psychological violence affects emotional and mental health of the trans person. Similarly, portrayal of shift from verbal to physical assault, highlights the extreme level of gender-based subjugation. The present study focuses on voicing these less heard voices with reference to two memoirs, viz. Gift of Goddess Laxmi and The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story, written by Indian transwomen authors Manobi Bandyopadhyay and A Revathi respectively. The study highlights how gender-based brutality both physical and mental in third gender community is being challenged through activism and mass campaigns. These narratives depict the progressive changes against the fixed patriarchal gender roles. The researcher employs close reading analysis approach of these two memoirs to understand the hostility faced by the third gender community, leading them further on the path of agitation.

Keywords– violence, advocacy, sexuality, gender and transwomen.