Gender Dysphoria, Body Image and Trauma: Hijra’s Rewriting of the Self in Living Smile Vidya’s I Am Vidya: A Transgender’s Journey

Abstract

Physical appearance and representation are the two key aspects through which gender identity is expressed. However, these key aspects are subjected to many expectations and standards framed by society. It is highly challenging for transgender people to fulfil heteronormative standards of body image and structure. Thus, the individual who is identified as transgender encounters a variety of physical and psychological illnesses in a wide range of social contexts. Due to the mismatch between their biological and psychological sexes, transgender people tend to experience gender identity disorder which is often addressed through the term gender dysphoria. As a result, transgender people undergo psychological trauma that creates an impact on their daily routine and makes them feel utterly uncomfortable with their bodies. Thus, this research article explores the gender dysphoria and body image of transgender people with special reference to Living Smile Vidya’s autobiography, I am Vidya: A Transgender’s Journey (2007). In addition, this research article investigates the deplorable situation of Hijra in India, their inner turmoil and their psychological trauma through the memoir of Vidya who had transitioned from a man named Saravanan to a self-realized female named Vidya. By critically analyzing the text through the lens of queer theory, this research article speculates on the impact of trauma on Indian Hijra’s psyche and identity in their arduous journey to redefine themselves as new being.