Srija, who made history in 2019 as Tamil Nadu’s first transgender woman to legally marry, credits her achievements to the unwavering support of her mother, Valli. Their story, captured in the documentary *Amma's Pride*, highlights the challenges they faced and the love that transcends societal stigmas.
Valli, 45, describes Srija as a “gift,” praising her bravery in a country where many transgender people struggle for acceptance. Srija, 25, from Thoothukudi, shares, “My education, my job, my marriage – everything was possible because of my mother’s support.” The film reveals their journey toward legal recognition of Srija’s marriage to Arun, showcasing their fight against outdated laws that initially denied them that right.
Meeting in 2017, Srija and Arun quickly fell in love, prompting them to pursue legal recognition for their marriage. Despite a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that upheld transgender rights, same-sex marriages remain illegal in India. Their attempt to register their wedding was met with rejection, as registrars adhered to antiquated definitions of marriage. Backed by LGBT activists, the couple fought tirelessly until they garnered attention from the Madras High Court, which ultimately confirmed their right to marry.
However, along with their success came challenges, including online harassment and job loss for Arun, who believes his firing was due to transphobia fueled by media coverage. Despite these trials, both Srija and Arun have continued to build their lives together and advocate for the acceptance of transgender people.
Srija excelled academically, earning a degree in English literature despite facing eviction and familial rejection after coming out as transgender at 17. Valli, a single parent since the death of her husband, sacrificed her own comfort to support Srija's transition, even selling jewelry to finance her gender reassignment surgery.
With approximately two million transgender individuals in India facing discrimination and stigma daily, the documentary *Amma's Pride* attempts to change the narrative surrounding trans identities. Srija hopes to counteract negative portrayals with stories of success and empowerment, asserting, “When people see new kinds of stories on trans people, hopefully their mindsets will also change.”
Following its international festival debut, *Amma's Pride* was screened in Chennai, bringing the narrative of acceptance and support to a broader audience, promoting discussions on family acceptance among the trans community. Valli and Srija remain optimistic about the future, with plans to adopt a child, illustrating their desire to create a loving family environment. As Valli humorously adds, “I would like to become a grandmother soon.”
