There has been a social discussion about gender identity in India for many years, but in recent years, open dialogue and understanding on this topic has increased. Another important step in this direction has been taken by Aryan Bangar (now Anaya), son of former Indian cricket all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, who shared his hormonal transformation on social media on Monday. This is a story which symbolizes not only personal change but also change in society.
Hormonal Transformation: A Journey
Aryan (now Anaya) shared a video making his gender change experience public, in which he said, “I am losing strength but gaining happiness. The body is changing, the dysphoria is decreasing… there is still a long way to go, but every step feels like mine.” He told that he had undergone Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) 11 months ago, and now he is feeling a lot of changes in his new body and mental state.
Anaya’s journey is not only an example of personal courage, but it has also brought to the fore the challenges of gender identity and the transgender community. Her body is slowly changing after hormonal treatment, but she is feeling self-satisfaction while accepting this change. She says that she is understanding her identity and is now feeling better every day.
From cricket to gender change: a painful journey
Gender transformation has had a deep impact on Anaya’s life, especially her cricket career. As a left-handed batsman, she has played for local cricket clubs like Islam Gymkhana and Hinckley Cricket Club. However, her cricket career has been affected after hormonal changes as a transgender woman. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had banned transgender women from women’s professional cricket on October 20, making this decision even more difficult for Anaya.
Anaya shared a screenshot of the ECB advisory on October 27 and wrote, “I never thought that I would have to leave the sport which was my passion and love.” Hormone replacement therapy has caused changes to his body, causing a decline in muscle strength and athletic abilities. This change in a physical game like cricket is proving challenging for them.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical procedure that aims to make hormonal changes consistent with a person’s gender identity. This procedure is mainly done for transgender individuals, so that they can physically match their gender identity. This may include taking female or male hormones, plastic surgery, and other treatments.
The procedure was legalized in India in 2014, and requires a team of medical experts, including surgeons, psychiatrists, gynecologists and neurosurgeons. The procedure is performed on individuals above 21 years of age, while in case of children under age, consent is obtained from parents.
Challenges after gender change
Anaya wrote in a post about her journey, “After undergoing hormonal therapy, I have lost the muscle, strength, and athletic abilities that were once my source of strength. The game that I loved for so many years is now going away from me.”
This isn’t easy for anyone, especially when the gap between your identity and your physical ability is glaring. This experience of Anaya shows that for transgender people, gender transformation is not only physical but also mental and social change.
Awareness about gender identity in society
Gender change and the problems of transgender community are still a sensitive issue in the society. Anaya’s move is not only a personal adventure, but it has also helped in increasing the understanding of gender identity in the society. People going through the process of gender change are now able to realize that they are not alone, and there is a need to bring a change in the thinking of the society.
Anaya’s future and hopes
For Anaya, this journey is just the beginning. He has given himself a new identity and has rebuilt his life with this change. Although her career in cricket is going through a difficult phase, she is still full of hopes after this change. They believe that they will have to work harder to stand on their own feet and make their place in the society.
Their struggle is an inspiration for the society that no person should be stopped or discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity. This step is important to spread awareness in the society and to give every person complete freedom of their rights.
Processes like gender transformation and hormonal therapy may be physically difficult, but they can be extremely important for self-acceptance and mental peace. This experience of Anaya teaches us that a person has the right to feel as he is, and society should accept it.
Anaya’s courage and her story will definitely bring about significant change in society regarding gender identity and transgender rights.
