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# Trans women win Indian election
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-women-win-indian-election/
- Published: 2021-01-04T13:13:08.000Z
- Updated: 2021-01-04T10:26:11.000Z
- Description: Two trans women were elected to their local governments in India on December 30, as the LGBTQ+ community is becoming increasingly visible in the country.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: Community, Information, News, Out & About, Politics, Queer Corner, India, LGBTQ, LGBTQ India, Transgender

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/devika-trans-woman.png)

Devika Akka

Two trans women were elected to their local governments in **India** on December 30, as the LGBTQ+ community is becoming increasingly visible in the country. **Devika Akka**, 46, was elected in Ward 7 of the **Saligrama** panchayat (a form of local government), while **Sudha** won the election in **Kallahalli**. Akka told [**The Times of India**](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/transgender-woman-wins-gp-election-at-karnatakas-saligrama/articleshow/80039659.cms?ref=scenemag.co.uk) she hopes to make those who voted for her proud, saying: *“When I visited people’s homes seeking votes, they had kind words for me.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/trans-bill-e1574829456453-1.jpg)

She continued: *“Now that they have placed their confidence in me, I will strive to live up to their expectations. People blessed me. I will work for them.”* **SJ Gunapal Jain**, a former panchayat member in the village, said Akka was the first trans person to be elected to local government in the village: *“Locals voted for her, especially her colony residents. It helped her achieve this feat. She didn’t identify herself with any group, team or political party.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/trans-india-1.jpg)

India’s trans community has found greater visibility over the last year; November 2020 saw the publication of the country’s first [**Trans News**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-news-magazine-launched-in-india/) magazine, which contains news stories as well as features on prominent Indian trans people. It also offers advertisement space to trans owned businesses and share employment opportunities. **Covai Trans Kitchen** in **Coimbatore**, a [restaurant](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/restaurant-staffed-by-trans-team-finds-big-success/) owned and staffed by trans people, also saw big success in 2020, and the [**Nationalist Congress Party**](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/indias-nationalist-congress-party-creates-lgbtq-cell/) **(**NCP) became the first political party in the country to set up a dedicated LGBTQ+ cell.