Harsha, 20. Harsha always preferred cooking to cricket. After tenth grade she left home and became a sex worker, saved her money and got breast implants. Three years ago she joined an NGO that provides social services such as HIV testing and sex education to the LGBT community. She also joined a dance group that performs traditional dance at wedding ceremonies and births of children. It was her dream to become a dancer and she is very happy. "My life is so beautiful," she says.

Jill Peters: Hijras, South Asia's Third Gender

Harsha, 20.
Harsha always preferred cooking to cricket. After tenth grade she left home and became a sex worker, saved her money and got breast implants. Three years ago she joined an NGO that provides social services such as HIV testing and sex education to the LGBT community. She also joined a dance group that performs traditional dance at wedding ceremonies and births of children. It was her dream to become a dancer and she is very happy. "My life is so beautiful," she says.

FROM THE FEATURE

Jill Peters: Hijras, South Asia’s Third Gender