Santosh Goudo, a 27 year old transwoman who works as a daily wage labourer and lives with her parents in Parlakhemundi of Gajapati, Odisha. Santhosh is a registered member of a Targeted Intervention project implemented by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in Parlakhemundi.
While transitioning, Santhosh was discriminated against by her family and society at large. On the 19th August, 2015 she attended a scheme literacy session at a hotspot in Gajapati where she met a Community Resource Person named Dhiraj Nayak. She asked him for details regarding the Supreme Court NALSA judgement 2014 about which she had heard of from her peers. The CRP and SPC (State Project Coordinator) educated her on the process of how to legally change one’s name and gender. They also offered her assistance on behalf of the Svavritti team to acquire the Gender Identity Change (GIC) certificate.

After learning all the process, she gave her consent to change her gender and name and submitted a request letter to District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) seeking necessary legal advice and support. The SPC and CRP accompanied Santosh to the court to obtain her GIC certificate. She also told her friends who were also looking to legally change their names and gender about the procedure. The CRP was able to coordinate the process for two of Santosh’s friends.
The whole process of identifying the needs, collection of required documents and acquiring the affidavit was done in one day, that is the 19th of August, 2015.
Now she is called as Ms. Jambabati Kinner. She will mention her gender as Third Gender in all her proceedings, deeds, writings, dealings and transactions.

Way forward:
Accessing government services as per their GIC has not happened yet. However, community members are happy that the judgement recognizes their gender identity. Community members are in the hope that schemes will be announced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the state government will take steps to improve the quality of life of the transgender community and provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Details of other two beneficiaries:
1. Ms. Sangeet Kinner, Age: 23 years, At: Kaviti Street, Parlakhemundi, Gajapati district. Formerly known as: N. Kashi Biswanath
2. Ms. Budu Kinner, Age: 23 years, Residence: Koli, Garabandha, Paralakhemundi, Gajapti district. Formerly known as: Jena