Asked about the importance of Pride Month, Revathi said, “Gaurav is not just a celebration-a protest for survival, visibility and acceptance. Forcibly from marriage to conversion therapy, queues-row-especially people-especially working classes and rural backgrounds fight without shame.
Revathi published her first book in Tamil, Uruvamam (Our life, our words) in 2004, after that Truth about me: A Hijra Life StoryIn 2010, first published in English (translated by feminist historian V. Gita), which was published in Tamil a year later, Velai Moji. The autobiography is now made in a drama with the same name and was staged at Kulwai, a two -day festival held in Chennai at Alliance Francais.
Revathi during the performance. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kulwai detected feminism, queue and resistance in the Tamil Theater. It has renowned the famous Theater Personality, A. Menai, Four-Diges the Force in the Field also celebrated. It was in the midst of the fact that Revathi performed Velai Moji For a pack audience.
The power of the play lies in the raw honesty of Revathi, as she selects her life and brings her life story on stage by selecting depths from her book – which resonates with the audience. She says, “I use art – books, poetry, drama – to move hearts and increase a change,” she says. People should understand what I express. While some queues reject sympathy in the community, I see it as the first step. The sympathy may support, and support the rights. Changing society is not easy – it takes time, patience and perseverance. “
Revathi reflects the painful chapters of her life again, yet the CISGender, yet manages to express quir joy to heterosexual audience. With intelligence and disorganized honesty, she recalls on the first night that she slept in a woman’s clothes – the irony of how she demands humility, women are fully covered, even when we were fully dressed. She dances ecstatic for film songs, celebrating a femininity, once embarrassed and rejected by her family and society. LGBTQ+ activists often emphasize that happiness is a survival strategy, not just a feeling – it is denied to define the pain alone.
His activism is understanding that caste, class, religion, gender, sexuality and ability to overlap are overlap to shape the discrimination or privilege experiences of people. Revathi has consistently supported Trans men and disadvantaged Sis-Kawyers, who acquire the love of the younger generation. In a scene, she tolerates public gaze transgender women – seen as a disturbance to beg, assessed for their appearance, and publicly denied respect. She leaves the script, asks the society: “How do you question us?” She exposes her cruel silence on child abuse, caste atrocities, honor killings, and acid attacks – crimes where they speak out, often become silent or killed.
Revathi in Velai Moji
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Young queue people today worry about aging, haunted by the possibility of loneliness, lack of traditional support, healthcare discrimination and legal or emotional insecurity. In a society with odd ideals such as marriage, LGBTQ+ people often feel worried about not finding a companion. Revathi shares a painful truth: parents do not always understand these conflicts. Many people push their children into lavender marriage so that there are children for the sake of society. But, she reminds us, no child – biological or adopted – takes care of his parents in old age. Although she lovingly adopted her brother’s children, now with her own families, she refuses to trust them for support. At the age of 60, she lives independently, determined not to be a burden. “” A fellow should be for true companionship, “she says.
His message to the youth: “Education is important – to study and get a job brings happiness and respect beyond sexuality or gender identity. Through work and social service, you can create friends and alert family support communities. Do not limit yourself to work and education – fulfill your talent, find creative outlets to keep your mind and soul alive.”
“If I had allowed me to stop depression, I have never written books that now reach so many students in universities. I do not know English, but I still stand in classes, share my story and fight for queue rights-because I recently honored with ‘Butler Banner Project’ of Columbia University.
At a time when transgender rights are subject to attack and identity is being eradicated by those in the world, sounds like Revathi offer, hope, strength and visibility for a community fighting to survive and listen to a community.
Published – June 10, 2025 03:03 pm IST
