Out and proud, yet isolated

Mani transitioned medically and legally between 2012 and 2014 during her doctoral days. Prior to that, she preferred working independently. “The very idea of a workplace is rather new to me. Visibility meant that I had to learn to interact. Yes, it takes some effort to get used to. Many people are not aware or are illinformed. I think that means many people may be avoiding any interaction or that they may be acting against my interests. So I have to work against the tide,” she said.

Stigma, casual sexism, misgendering, jokes and hidden discriminatory rules aggravate the alienation.