When Aarav turns to Ayesha!
Imagine a 10-year old girl stuck in the body of a man! She is trying really hard to adapt to the norms of society and the struggle is really stressful. Luckily, at the age of 28, she could perform a gender transformation surgery and is now a successful makeup artist in Surat. The
inner turmoil that Aarav had been suffering, finally rested in Ayesha, the identity that she achieved after a sex change operation. Let us explore her journey from Aarav to Aaisha Patel, with our host and dost, Subhi Gupta!
Ayesha Patel, Make-up Artist
Was being a make-up artist your first choice or did it happen by accident?
I chose to be a make-up artist as my profession because I have loved doing make up since the time I was a child. I even used to apply make-up as a child and wear my sister’s clothes to express myself as a woman.
How did you feel when you used to wear your sister’s clothes or apply her make up? I knew I was a woman from inside since then. My body language, interest and way of talking conveyed that I want to dress like a female, apply make-up and play with dolls. I really loved everything right from the beginning.
How did your family react to you coming out as a transgender?
When I was small, my family didn’t react a lot to my female ways as they were unaware of it. But later when I came out to them, they didn’t react well to it. My family pressurised me into getting married. I did not know how to be in a relationship with my wife and so I got divorced.
Later on, I met my husband Rohan Patel with whom my gender-transformation journey started.
How did you get on board with this decision of transitioning yourself from male to female?
I met my husband Rohan in 2017 and we got married. It was then that I started my transition journey with full support from him. I couldn’t have done this on my own. Rohan prepared me physically and mentally for the process. Whatever I am today is all because of my biggest supporter, my husband.
Can you tell us a little about your Gender Transformation procedures?
My journey started with Hormone Therapy which was then followed by different face surgeries including cheekbone and lip surgery. Next, I went for breast implants and then finally my sex change operation was done.
The total cost amounted to Rs.20 lakh. It was a painful surgery both physically and mentally. There are so many medical and legal procedures involved in the process as well. I am happily living my life as a woman now.
What would you like to say to the families of such special children out there?
To all the families, I would like to say that do not ignore your child. Make him/ her a part of the society. Life without a family gets very difficult for a child. Please accept your children the way they are and support them.
A positive message that you want to share through our platform. People have been supporting LGBTQ more and more in the 21st century. Every year, more people are participating in the PRIDE parade. I urge people and the government to help us strengthen our
community and society so that we get to live freely in an accepting environment.