Introduction. Transgender to transperson: An overview of indian histories of self, sex, and society

Abstract

The very contemporariness of this book is its strength as it connects the monumental research done in the past and newer directions of research in transpeople studies has turned in newer directions, especially post-Article 377 and the enforcement of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights), 2020. After the repeal of Article 377 and the Bill being passed, the prevalent question was, what next? Where does the trans community go from here? The chapters of this book identify possible directions, as reflected in the way the chapters have been divided into sections of the book. The first section looks at the way literature has interpreted the transperson, while the second section on history forms a bridge between creativity and the elements that make up civil society. This sense of historical awareness is essential to understand the ways that modernity and its (dis)contents worked upon the Indian mind and enabled the readings of laws, ideas of personal liberty, life-choices, and social interpretations of sexualities, causing deleterious effects to this day. The third section reads contemporary amendments in legislation regulating sexualities and ponders the concept of citizenship. This naturally leads to the fourth section on health and employment, where the immediate and real time effects of citizenship in subsidized healthcare and the health hazards caused by disenfranchisement can be felt. The meaningful and sustainable employment of transpeople as viable citizens can add valuable numbers to the workforce that is already suffering from a lack of skilled labor. The final section on transmen looks at a doubly marginalized group of people who seek an alternate community. In my introduction, I will address these concerns as well, setting the tone for the deliberations to follow.