Tough times ahead Adoption, a challenge for newly-wed trans woman

While marriage would be a fairytale ending for many, this couple tied the knot staring at the future in confusion.

Akkai Padmashali and Vasudev V married in January last year are happy to officially register their marriage on Tuesday. However, Akkai Padmashali, a transwoman and activist, is looking ahead at a journey filled with challenges.

Hers is the first marriage of a transgender person, months after the state cabinet approved the policy for transgenders. The couple feels that adopting a child would really be difficult for them due to stigma in society, although the law allows it.

However, the couple is not planning an adoption immediately.

"Getting the marriage registered itself was a tedious task. To adopt a child is even more difficult only because of social perception," said Akkai.

There are many challenges that are associated with the adoption, she added.

"Agencies will be reluctant to give a child when it involves a transgender person. They usually think that we are people who kidnap kids," she said.

When the child is admitted to a school, the other parents may have problems with the child's guardian being a transgender person, Akkai said.

While she said that there are many other issues related to transgender rights which need to be worked on, adoption is of priority currently.

"Marriage is like a dream come true for people of the transgender community. Like all girls are brought up with the dream, they too dream of the same," said Shubha Chacko, executive director of Solidarity Foundation, which works for the rights of transgenders.

She added that the marriage will empower all gender minorities. Like any other person, they have their rights and freedom.