Sahad (23) and Ziya Paval (21), a transgender couple who reside in Kozhikode, began their gender transition procedure two years ago. Sahad took a break from his transition to a trans man early last year in order to first become a parent.
Sahad is currently eight months along in pregnancy and intends to complete the gender transition after giving birth. “When we started to live together three years ago, we thought our lives should be different from other transgenders. Most transgender couples are boycotted by society as well as their families. We wanted a baby so that we leave behind something of ourselves even after our days in this world are numbered,’’ said Paval, a classical dance teacher.
Paval added, “Our journey to become a trans man and trans woman will continue. I am still continuing the hormone treatment to become a trans woman. Six months or a year after delivery, Sahad will also resume the treatment to become a trans man.”
For the past three years, Sahad and Paval have cohabitated as a transgender couple. Sahad, who was an accountant before going on maternity leave, is from Thiruvananthapuram, whilst Paval is from Kozhikode. After coming to terms with their transgender identities, both left their families.
Since then, as part of the gender transition procedure, they have undertaken hormone therapy. After careful consideration, they decided to have a child, according to Paval. “Sahad had already removed both breasts and both of us had been going ahead with hormone treatment. In our longing to have a baby, we paused the process.”
The Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode, where Sahad is scheduled to deliver their child the following month, provided them with support, according to Paval. “Doctors have advised us not to discuss the insemination procedure any further. We want to feed the child from the medical college’s breast milk bank since Sahad removed both breasts,” said Paval.
Sahad and Paval are now anticipating a new journey as parents while still on their continuous journey to change their genders.
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