Advocating gender acceptance, a mother of a transgender woman came out to celebrate her daughter as Bhutan marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biophobia and Transphobia yesterday.
Tshering Lhamo came out to share her daughter’s transgender journey. Transgender refers to a person who’s personal and gender identity is opposite to their assigned sex.
Tshering Lhamo’s appearance with her daughter highlights the point that the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community begins at home. This is exactly what the day this year emphasised on.
With “Family” as the theme, the day underscored the importance of family support for LGBT community who fight prejudices and struggle for their rights in a daily struggle.
Tshering Lhamo recalled seeing her daughter being different since childhood.
“Since childhood, she was interested in wearing kira. When we made her wear gho, she would refuse to do so and cry the whole day,” shared Tshering Lhamo.
Tshering Lhamo has accepted Dechen Sheldon who was born male as her daughter. This is what she would like other parents with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children to do.
“Dechen was born male but identifies as woman and wears kira. But I am not ashamed of her,” said her mother.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is celebrated to create awareness on the discrimination and violence faced by the LGBT people.
The day was organised by the LGBT + Community and Lhak-sam jointly. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was first observed in 2004.
