feature: madhu kinnar becomes india’s first elected transgender mayor

India has elected its first transgender mayor! 35 year old Madhu Kinnar won the mayoral election last Sunday in Raigarh, with over 4.500 more votes than her opponent. The momentos win – which was televised all over India’s news stations – has come off the back of last year’s court ruling that transgender be made a legal third gender in the South Asian country. In regards to her win, Kinnar says: “People have shown faith in me. I consider this win as love and blessings of people for me. I’ll put in my best efforts to accomplish their dreams.” She continues, “It was the public support that encouraged me to enter the poll fray for the first time and because of their support only, I emerged as the winner.” With a huge transgender communitiy – many of whom are ostracised and forced into prostitution, many are waiting to see how India continues to tackle LGBTQ issues. Congrats Madhu!

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor