Sonia walking close to her home in suburban area of Mumbai, Mumbra area, Mumbai, India June 2008The Transgender (TG) community in India is dated since morethan 4000 years, in ancient Hinduism and Islam, where eunuchs served in harems of the Mogul rulers.

During British raj the colonials passed a law in which the transgenders were described as “sodomites” and people who did “homosexual offense”. This was the first time ever that transgenders were openly discriminated against in Indian History.

Payal downstairs at her home, Mumbai, India, December 2007

Transgender trying necklace on before going for begging, Kalian area, India June 2008

There is an estimation of more than 25000 transgenders in Mumbai floating from one place to the other within the city and outside, that to earn money and to survive goes for blessing and greetings to individual, couple or families for special occasion, some are involved as professional dancer in bars or during ceremony and others goes for begging at the signal or on the street. The major problem remain for that 60% involve in commercial sex work.

Satisfied customers live their phone numbers on the wall of the brothel, Kamatipura Ist Lane, Mumbai, India June 2008

Ianl and Payal during a moment of rest at their house, Mumbai, India, December 2007

Black Beauty preparing her self before starting the sex work, Kamatipura Ist Lane, Mumbai, India June 2008

Kamatipura is the largest and most famous red light district in Mumbai, build it up during the British colony. Inside the brothel, Kamatipura Ist Lane, Mumbai, India June 2008

Transgender clothes, Kalian area, India June 2008

For transgender femininity is a must and early castration is a way to develop feminine appearance. Poja castrated at the age of ten after taking bath, Kalian area, India June 2008

The 20% of the transgenders living or working in Mumbai is infected with the HIV virus and during sex works the condom not always is used as a protection, as the client is willing to pay more if not used.
Transgender that are not doing sex work go for begging to get money for living. In most cases this happens once that the transgender turn in positive at the HIV test.
In some cases the status is kept secret and they continue to practice sex work in brothel areas, in other cases they move to different places to continue on doing sex work.

TG with a client inside one of the disuse building at the truck park, Mumbai, India, December 2007

Urmi proud of her beauty showing her pictures at home, Mumbai, India, December 2007

TG proud of her beauty at the truck park, Mumbai, India, December 2007

The mattress surrounded by old condoms used for sex performance, Mumbai, India, December 2007

In general, because they are not willing anymore or are not accepted by the Gurus they end up in small groups begging from shop to shop, at the signal or in the highway. Because of the weak condition an HIV positive TG can’t beg for more than 4-5 hours, time in which they normally earn 50-60 rupees each, means less than a euro. Of course is not enough and to afford houses and medicine expenses, occasionally they do also sex work.

Rajeshree receiving money from truck driver at the highway toll, Mumbra area, Mumbai, India June 2008

Colorful sari dressed by Rajeshree and Sonia, Mumbra area, Mumbai, India June 2008

Sonia tired after few hours begging while Rajeshree is counting money. Normally during 4-5 hrs they beg 50-60 INR each, Mumbra area, Mumbai, India June 2008

Details of house used to do sex work from transgender that are not living in a brothel, Kalian area, India June 2008

According to a common believe among clients, HIV is transmitted having unprotected sex only if it’s done with female sex workers and not with transsexual. This might be the reason why almost 70% of the customers are married with kids.

Customer and transgender during sex work moment, Kalian area, India June 2008Transgender in her bed waiting for another customer, Kalian area, India June 2008