Trinetra set to be Karnataka’s first transwoman medico

BENGALURU: Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, 21, is set to become the

first transgender doctor

in the state by 2021. The fourth-year

medical student

is currently studying in a

private medical college in coastal Karnataka.

Born as Angad Gummaraju, the elder son of a city-based couple, Trinetra underwent gender confirmation surgery (GCS) abroad in February and is back in her classes now. Her parents living in Bengaluru celebrated her new identity by throwing a party recently. Post surgery, Angad gave herself the name of Trinetra after Goddess Kali.

“I’m privileged to have been born in a family that accepted me as I’m. Having been studious right from schooling is another advantage I had,” says Trinetra.

Recalling her tough journey since her childhood, she says she was bullied and abused for being a girl trapped in a boy’s body. With immense support from her family, she had secured 163rd rank in Karnataka CET 2015.

Trinetra’s mother Haima Haldar admitted it was a struggle initially, but the family came to terms with the realities. “Every queer child is precious. The world rejects them. But if they face parental rejection too, they suffer more and face huge risk of depression and suicide. One must be told that s/he is as precious as any other child,” she told TOI.

Trinetra is also an artist and aims to become a surgeon. “For surgeons, human body is the canvas,” she said. Through social media, she has been working on creating awareness about the rights of sexual minorities.

‘Homosexuality not a psychological condition’

As a medical student, she has had her shocking moments while going through her textbooks. “Homosexuality is still treated as a psychological condition in medical textbooks and this is sad,” she said.

She rues the lack of awareness among medical community over addressing the needs of sexual minorities. “Transgender healthcare as a concept needs to be developed in India. It’s sad there is a lack of awareness about sexual minorities among health professionals,” she said.

April 2 ushered in heart-warming moments for Trinetra when she witnessed the delivery of a young mom at the medical college hospital and held the newborn in her hands after safe delivery during one of her practical sessions. Well aware of her own limitations in delivering a child, she was thrilled to witness the delivery.

Keen on having her own biological child in future, Trinetra preserved her sperm in a sperm bank just before undergoing the surgery. “It costs me Rs 15,000 per year to preserve my sperm. But it’s worth as I may want to have my own child through surrogacy in future,” she said.


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