Manipur's first transgender doctor from Nupi Maanbi community turns corona warrior

Manipur's first transgender doctor Beyonce Laishram has been a warrior all her life. She is not only an example for transgender community but also a symbol of hope, especially for marginalised Nupi Maanbi community. Beyonce Laishram got her MBBS degree from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and currently works in a private hospital in Imphal. However, what makes her proud is tag of corona warrior.

Manipur's first transgender corona warrior

Beyonce Laishram is North East's first transgender doctor who has currently turned into a corona warrior as she treats COVID-19 patients. She is a former student of RIMS and says that she never faced any sort of discrimination in school or in college. Manipur's first transgender doctor says that she always wanted to become a doctor and help people heal, even before she got her degree from RIMS. 

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"I look like a woman now, so no one realises I am a trans-person until y hear my voice. Some people are startled, but that's it. I have been working here since November 2019 here. re was no discrimination or hate directed towards me here. All my colleagues treated me as a friend," said Manipur's first transgender doctor. 

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Beyonce Laishram is currently living her dream of being a doctor. She is treating COVID-19 positive patients in a private hospital in Imphal, Manipur. Manipur's first transgender doctor is more than just a transwoman from Nupi Maanbi community, she is also a corona warrior. Talking about her choice of career Beyonce said that people from transgender communities also have rights to pursue any profession that y want. y need not be limited to working in beauty parlours and as a makeup artist, because y can become doctors and engineers she ded. She believes that people and society will be more accepting of TG people if y choose to make ir careers in different fields. 

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Beyonce Laishram works in Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal. Medical Superintendent of hospital, Surgeon Sorokhaibam Jugindra said spoke about hiring Beyonce and reaction of staff. He said, "Human beings are all equal. We didn't look at Beyonce's gender while hiring her. re was some curiosity among staff initially, but that was all."

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Talking about her struggles, Manipur doctor and corona warrior said that it took her a long time to come out and identify herself with Nupi Maanbi which is a community of transwomen. Beyonce Laishram h a sex reassignment surgery in Puducherry and now identifies as a post-operative transwoman. This 27-year-old doctor from Manipur has been working hard to uplift Nupi Maanbi community which remains marginalised. She aims to help transwomen from Nupi Maanbi community gain access to proper healthcare irrespective of ir gender or gender identity. 

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"I knew that I was not a boy when I was in Class 8 at. However, I did not reveal my identity until I was in third year of my MBBS. It was a continuous struggle to establish my identity and make people accept it. Around 2016, I realised I could no longer live that life. It was n that I started identifying myself as a Nupi Maanbi. Nupi Mannbis of Manipur helped me a lot. I am preparing for my post-gruation in cosmetic surgery. I want to help Nupi Mannbis back," said Beyonce Laishram.

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 (With inputs from ANI)