A group of transgender activists in India have launched their own YouTube channel to take control of how they’re portrayed in the media and to clear up some of the misconceptions that people have about the trans community.
was created by trans activist Rachana Mudraboyina, who has enlisted the help of a team of transgender writers and directors.
“In India, hijras and other transwomen are the most victimised: rape, violence, discrimination, and even death are motifs of their daily existence,” the new channel’s description reads.
“We want to change this in our own little way through this channel that we believe is going to go a long way.”
In a recently posted video, Mudraboyina notes that the Indian media often asks trans people questions like, “When did you become like this” or whether being transgender is a mental disorder or the result of bad parenting.
“When such questions are asked, I feel there is no proper information at all out there on transgender people,” she says.
“So I thought when such misinformation can be so widespread out there in society, why not attempt to spread correct information?”
Mudraboyina says that without resources such as TransVision, the stigma and discrimination surrounding the trans community will only increase.
The channel will cover topics including who transgender people are, the laws that affect the trans community and transgender visibility in film and TV.
TransVision content will be produced in three languages— Telugu, Kannada and Urdu dialect, Dakhni.
