About Me

I was born Sreelesh Nambiar on May 9, 1984 and grew up in a typical middle class household near Mumbai. Because of the cruel biases in society against transgender people, I had to face many hardships including denigration and abuse from my own relatives. However, my parents were supportive and encouraged me to focus on my studies. I felt that her a... I was born Sreelesh Nambiar on May 9, 1984 and grew up in a typical middle class household near Mumbai. Because of the cruel biases in society against transgender people, I had to face many hardships including denigration and abuse from my own relatives. However, my parents were supportive and encouraged me to focus on my studies. I felt that her achievements would be the ultimate comeback to the naysayers, and so I put all my energies into getting qualifications in both academics and the arts. I am happy to say that I am the first transgender person in India to receive a PhD in mental health. I am also a trained dancer have received multiple Indian and international awards for my contribution to arts & culture. But I feel my biggest achievement is the advocacy and activism for the transgender community in India. For the last two decades, I have been deeply entrenched in fighting for the rights and dignity of transgender people in India. The two initiatives I am most proud of are The Global Rights Foundation and The KalaSiri Academy of Art & Culture. We are now launching the I Am Trans movement, which aims to bring awareness towards the issues of transgender people in India. It also seeks to help them get sustainable employment through skill building. See more See Less

• Connect with Me

How we will achieve the goal?

We will be achieving our goals through our two initiatives: Lalitha Bhawan and Doosra Ghar. About Lalitha Bhawan: The idea of the Lalitha Bhawan Community Kitchen was born out of the mission to give gainful employment to the transgender community while serving migrant workers, sex workers and other marginalised groups during the first wave of t... We will be achieving our goals through our two initiatives: Lalitha Bhawan and Doosra Ghar. About Lalitha Bhawan: The idea of the Lalitha Bhawan Community Kitchen was born out of the mission to give gainful employment to the transgender community while serving migrant workers, sex workers and other marginalised groups during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. During this time, the community kitchen served 70-80 migrant workers on a daily basis.Beyond food and financial security, Lalitha Bhavan seeks to provide a sense of belonging, safety and teamwork for the transgender community. About Doosa Ghar: The idea behind Doosra Ghar or “second home” is to give the physical, psychological and social support to the distressed in the transgender community which they would otherwise have received at home from loved ones. Our Goals Are: 1. To create a platform for the parents or guardians of trans children. To help them understand the unique needs of their children without any stigma or fears. Impact: In the next 5 years, support 200 trans children by equipping their parents or guardians appropriately 2. To support trans persons when a crisis strikes; a situation when navigating the journey is tough and when choices shrink leading to a vicious cycle Impact: in the next 3 years, support 100 trans people to live a life of their choice 3. To create a collective livelihood opportunity through a community kitchen, which will be predictable, scalable and will overlap with the other communities Impact: In the next 2 years, support 50 trans persons through the community kitchen initiative and feed 200 people belonging to any community on a daily basis. See more See Less

Project Story

I Am Trans is a movement that is working towards bring awareness towards the issues of the transgender community in India. Through our initiatives we would like to create sustainable employment for the transgender community. I Am Trans is a movement that is working towards bring awareness towards the issues of the transgender community in India. Through our initiatives we would like to create sustainable employment for the transgender community. See more See Less