Red Lipstick: The Men in My Life

The world keeps taunting him as girlish but the fact is that biologically he is a boy. And he is always attracted to guys. Is Laxmi both a man and a woman? Or perhaps neither a man nor a woman? The first inklings and stirrings of lust that Laxmi remembers came from noticing big strong arms the hint of a guy's moustache over his lips billboards that advertised men's underwear. Laxmi found this puzzling initially. Was there a woman inside him who couldn't really express herself because of some last-minute mix-up that god did at the time of his birth? Struggling with such existential questions Laxmi Narayan Tripathi eminent transgender activist awakens to her true self: She is Laxmi a hijra.In this fascinating narrative Laxmi unravels her heart to tell the stories of the men-creators preservers lovers benefactors and abusers-in her life. Racy unapologetic dark and exceptionally honest these stories open a window to a brave new world. About the Author Laxmi transgender rights activist Hindi film actor and Bharatanatyam dancer is a celebrity and a LGBT icon. Founder of the NGO Astitva which works towards the support and development of sexual minorities she is the first transgender who went to the United Nations representing the Asia Pacific sex workers. Laxmi played a pivotal role for the recognition of hijras as the third gender in India.Pooja Pande is a writer and editor with a keen interest in gender issues.