Sharmila walked with her head bowed as she entered the conference hall from the side while Vidyuth hailed her from behind.
“Ignore the No Entry boards. They aren’t meant to keep out people like us.”
“That’s the thing. People like us. Not just people.”
Vidyuth clapped her shoulder.
“Come on. There are people waiting for us.”
As Sharmila went up the stage to deliver the keynote address, she calmed her shaking knees. Thunderous applause followed the end of the speech. Vidyuth was cheering madly from his front seat. Sharmila smiled to herself as she came down.
Today had been an important milestone in her and Vidyuth’s life. As she moved towards the restroom, she realised nothing had changed.
The grey faced security said – “Sorry, this is for ladies only, use the men’s”
Even as Sagar has transformed to Sharmila and Vidya to Vidyuth, the world was the same. Transgender was still not a gender but an insult.
Author’s note: I was moved by the tale of a transgender school student who left her state with family because her school denied her bathroom rights appropriate with her chosen gender. For more details, read the link here.
Written in response to the picture prompt provided by Yarnspinnerr for FFFAW hosted by Priceless Joy.
thelavmuse.wordpress.com 
Nice message. Somethings are difficult to change. We need a change of mindset.
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True, thanks for reading and commenting.
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Powerful take, it will take time, but the change has begun at least.
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True but let’s hope its sustainable. Thanks for stopping by
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This was a great use of the prompt, well done.
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Thanks Michael
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Great take one the prompt Lavs and an important message.
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Thanks Meha
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This was a lovely tale! 🙂
Chose a powerful and sensitive topic!
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Thanks – glad you liked it
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Most welcome! 🙂
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Great story! It is a very touchy subject in some states. Also very sad for the transgender folks!
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It’s a cruel world we live in.
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Indeed!
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This is one of the best stories on this prompt. Powerful writing.
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Hey, thanks Sonia!
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lovely story 🙂
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Thanks Deepa
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Quite Powerful. Yes, the world is the same. It will take time for the perspectives and mindsets to change.
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Thx for stopping by
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Such a thought provoking message. I hope with the recent change to Section 377, society’s views start to change too.
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True Mahak. Hopefully change is coming.
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This just gave me a punch on the face. We hardly change, do we! Unless things happen to us! It is worth understanding other’s views and lives to give them the respect the deserve. Well written, it does pain me.
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Indeed, that’s the way the society is. Thanks Jayanthy for stopping by.
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You brought out the agony and frustration of transgenders so well. Hope things change.
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The change is in the air already!
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It surely is…
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Super impactful in such few words! My kinda fiction! Looking forward to more !
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Thx Surbhi
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Transgender people come from all walks of life. The transgender community is incredibly diverse. While the visibility of transgender people is increasing in popular culture and daily life, they still face severe discrimination, stigma and systemic inequality.
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They do but the supreme Court verdict is a first step towards it!
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That was a strong and much needed message. Well written. We need a lot of people reading this post!
#MyFriendAlexa #literarylehareads
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Thanks Leha. My 2 cents towards creating some more awareness!
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This story is a hard hitting reality faced by the LGBT community. Lets hope reading down Section 377 improves things for them.
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I sure hope so!
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So many emotions in so few words…mesmerizing!
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Thought provoking for sure… this is one topic, people don’t speak about very often.
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A sensitive way to put across a hard-hitting topic…The I hope with the decriminalization things become better for the LGBTQ community..Thanks for the post…
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