Pride Month draws to a close and the rainbow flags may have come down, but for transgender activist Akkai Padmashali, the challenges are far from over. For the Rajyotsava Prashasti winner, Pride has never been just about celebration. It is a platform to make people stop, listen and acknowledge the realities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community every single day.“Pride is important because it gives us a chance to project our struggles, our challenges and fight against a society that continues to be transphobic, homophobic and discriminatory,” she says. The 38-year-old points out that while June brings visibility, the remaining eleven months continue to be filled with everyday battles. “People still face rejection from families, partner violence, police violence, mental health issues and even suicidal tendencies. These are not Pride Month issues. These happen every day.”‘Coming out is a privilege for many’Bengaluru is often seen as one of India’s more accepting cities but Akkai believes that visibility does not mean everyone feels safe enough to be themselves. “Every year, more people come out because conversations have increased and safer spaces have grown. But there are many who don’t because of fear and discrimination,” she explains.The experience also differs across class lines. She says, “An English-speaking, financially secure queer person has a very different journey compared to someone from the working class. I worry most about those from poorer backgrounds, who continue to struggle for livelihood and social recognition.”She adds that Pride marches themselves are sustained largely through community effort. “There are no formal government funds for these events. Many community members who survive through begging or sex work also contribute towards Pride.”‘Access to public spaces is still a challenge’For Akkai, one of the biggest gaps lies in everyday public spaces. “People still struggle to access public toilets, buses, malls, cinema halls, places of worship and other public spaces. Imagine carrying an identity card that doesn’t match your appearance. Even travelling can become a humiliating experience.” She believes policies already exist but need stronger implementation. “The real question is whether there is enough willingness within the system to make these spaces inclusive.”‘Bengaluru has changed because people fought for it’Looking back at nearly three decades of activism, Akkai says Bengaluru’s reputation as a queer-friendly city didn’t happen overnight. “The credit goes to the working-class activists who built this movement 25 to 30 years ago. Many sacrificed their lives, endured police violence, were jailed and humiliated. Because of their struggles, today’s generation enjoys far more dignity and acceptance.” She acknowledges that attitudes have improved over the years. “The violence and rejection we experienced earlier have reduced because we raised our voices whenever discrimination happened.“‘Dignity is a basic right’As conversations shift from visibility to inclusion, Akkai believes the focus should remain on mutual respect. “Dignity is not something we should have to demand. It is every human being’s right, irrespective of gender identity, sexuality or the clothes they wear.”She is also cautious about performative allyship online. “Our issues are not about being politically correct. They are about people’s lives,” she says, adding that many working-class queer people still remain invisible in digital conversations because they lack access to technology and social media.
