“Mama was ready to lose anything to support my trans identity in Tamil Nad

In 2019, Shria became the first transsexual woman to legitimizely marry the Indian state Tamil Neda after a historic court ruling. Now a new documentary “Ama Pride,” “chronicles the battle of Shari for state recognition of her marriage and the unwavering support of her mother, Vali.

“Soria is a gift,” he says 45 -year -old, rains, tells the BBC while she and her daughter hug.

“I know not all trance people have what I have,” adds the 25 -year -old Sry from the port city of Thoothukudi.

“My education, my work, my marriage – everything was possible because of my mother’s support.”

She and her mother share their story for the first time in the pride of AMA (the pride of the mother), which follows the unique experience of Shria.

Shria met with her future husband Arun at a temple in 2017. After learning that they shared mutual friends, they soon started sending text messages regularly. She was already out as a transgender and had begun her transition.

“We talked a lot. She trusted me about her experiences as a trance woman,” Arun told the BBC.

After months, they fell in love and decided that they wanted to spend their lives together.

“We wanted a legal recognition because we want a normal life like any other couple,” Sordi says. “We want all the defenses that come from the legitimate recognition of marriage.”

That moisture securities such as transfer of money or property if a spouse dies.

In 2014 India still does not allow same -sex marriageS

It is not known how many trans couples married in India or who is the first. Activists claim that there was at least one trance wedding legally registered before Shria and Arun – in 2018 a couple married in Bangalore.

“Of course, there are strange couples or transsexual couples, all over India,” says Ama Pride Director, Shiva Krish, but due to continuing discrimination, “Several are secretive to their relationship. Soria and Arun and Valley are unique in their choice to live their daily lives outdoors.”

The attempt of Stili and Arun to register their wedding for 2018 was rejected, with the registrar claiming that the 1955 Hindu Marriage Act defines the marriage as an union between the Bride and the bridegroom, which therefore excludes Trans Women.

But the couple, supported by LGBT activists, pushed back by bringing their relationship in public space. The effort was worth it.

They received global attention in 2019, when the Madras Supreme Court in Chennai maintained their right to marry, stating that transgender people should be recognized either as a “bride” or “groom”, as defined by the 1955 Hindu marriage law.

The solution is seen by LGBT activists as a major step in the adoption of transsexual people in India, with Shria and Arun becoming well known locally for challenging cultural norms.

But media coverage also invited negative control.

“On the day after the local news was covered, I was fired from my job,” says Arun, who works as a handmade worker in the transport sector. He believes this is due to transphobia.

An online trolling followed.

“People have sent violent messages that criticize me for being married to a transgender woman,” he says.

The couple parted briefly under the tension.

However, Shria is distinguished with her education, often comes first in high school class.

She continued to graduate from English Literature from the University of Tamil Nada, becoming one of the only people in her family who received a college degree.

This is a source of pride for Vali, who left school at 14 years old.

Even before struggling to recognize their marriage by the state, Shari and her family face hostility and abuse.

After Shria came out as a transgender woman at the age of 17, she and her mother and the younger brother China were expelled from their home by their landlord.

Several family members stopped talking to them.

But Shria’s mother and brother were steadfast in their support.

“I’ll always stand with my daughter,” says Valley.

“All trance people must be supported by their family.”

Rati, who became a lonely parent when her husband died, when Shari was only six years old, worked in a kitchen at school.

But although she earned a modest income, she helped pay for her daughter’s gender reassignment, partly by selling some of her jewelry and taking care of her afterwards.

“She takes good care of me,” Shari says.

It is believed that there are about two million transsexual people in India, the largest country in the world, although activists say their number is more.

While the country has adopted trans-junction legislation and recognizes in the Third Paul Act, stigma and discrimination remain.

Studies have found that transgender people in India face a high percentage of abuse, mental health problems and limited access to education, employment and health. Many are forced to ask or enter into sexual work.

Globally, the UN says a significant number of transgender people are facing rejection by their families.

“Not many trans people in India or even the world have the support of their families,” says director Shiva Krish.

“Story and Valley is unique.”

Shria says she hopes the movie will help to challenge stereotypes for trance people and the types of stories that are often popularized in the media for the group – especially those who focus on trauma and abuse.

“This documentary shows that we can be leaders. I am a manager, a productive member of the workforce,” Shari says.

“When people see new types of trance people, we hope that their thoughts will also change.”

Following the premiere of the International Film Festivals, the pride of Amma was shown at a special screening in Chennai, for members of the LGBT community and allies, to mark the international transition to visibility on Monday, March 31.

Following the screening of Chenna, a seminar was held, where participants in small groups discussed the acceptance of the family and the support of the community for trans individuals.

“We hope that our screening events will encourage relationships between trance individuals, their families and local communities,” adds Chitra Jayram, another of the creators of Ama’s pride.

The AMMA Pride Pride team hopes that universal family support topics for stigma means that documentaries and workshops can be introduced to rural audiences, as well as in other cities in India and neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh.

As for Shria and Arun, they now work as managers of private companies and hope to adopt a child soon. “We hope for a normal future,” Sordi says.

“I would like to become a grandmother soon,” he adds Vali, smiling.