Surmounting Gender Dysphoria in A. Revathi’s The Truth About Me

Abstract

The term ‘Dysphoria’ means a state of unease or generalized dissatisfaction with life. This state of unease, pain and dissatisfaction due to one’s gender identity is generally known as ‘Gender Dysphoria’. The term was coined by Norman Fisk in 1973. Gender Dysphoria typically waves and wanes until it drives individuals to take steps to live their lives congruently with how they perceive themselves. Some make permanent physical and social changes to live completely in their preferred gender, whereas others find alternative ways to manage the gender Dysphoria, such as living partially in their preferred gender and partially in their assigned gender. This term is also used in psychiatry. It literally refers to a state of psychological distress or discomfort associated with having an experience of gender that does not match one’s gender assigned at birth. The study brings under scrutiny the neglected position of women and transgender in present society through the works of the transgender writer, Revathi’s “Truth About Me” and also how hijras are humiliated and suppressed in public domain and how Revathi, was not spared even after leaving her village. This autobiography stands as a cornerstone of transgender literature depicting the fulfilment of Revathi’s dreams in her successful transformation to become a woman. There is little research on how GD and/or transgender identity are associated with surmounting.