Tughlakabad (New Delhi): Dr Aqsa Sheikh is heading a Covid Vaccination Centre in India and is also its nodal officer. What sets her apart from the rest of her peers heading such centres is her transgender identity. Dr Sheikh works as an associate professor of community medicine at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR). She has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who have been struggling with their identities and sexual orientations. Dr Sheikh is the only transgender person to head a Covid Vaccination Centre in India. When stereotypes govern the identity of transgenders in the country, this doctor is not only breaking judgemental attitudes in society but is also proving that a transgender person can be a professional just like any other individual when given the opportunity.
Dr Sheikh realised that she was a transgender quite early in life. She came to terms with her identity and started living her new identity from the age of twenty. However, the road to accept and live her new identity was not easy. She had to face several struggles to overcome some very strong objections that came her way. Her family did not approve of her choice and religion too was an obstacle." Some of them tried to portray me as having a psychiatric issue and some told me that I am going against my religion," said Dr Sheikh. Yet, convinced of her identity orientation, Dr Sheikh fought the prejudices thrown at her and embraced her new life." You will face backlash from society but if you are convinced about your identity, you will ignore them as I did," said Dr Sheikh
She voices concern regarding people like her who are unable to come out and embrace their identities. "If society understands us and respects us, we can do a lot, but if society's attitude is against us, you will see people like us on the streets," Dr Aqsa said adding that she was criticized four years ago when she began living with her identity. She also added that the Nalsa Judgment issued by the Supreme Court and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 hasn't been fully adopted.
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The Supreme Court of India in 2015, declared transgender people as the 'third gender'. Also, fundamental rights granted by the Constitution of India will be equally applicable to them, and the right to self-identification of their gender as male, female or third gender.
