Laxmi Narayan Tripathji
Human Rights Activist and Transgender

Laxmi Narayan Tripathji is Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, she is a trail blazing transgender and human rights activist. She is a pioneer having represented the Asia Pacific region in the UNAIDS civil society task force, she has been the founder member of the Asia Pacific Transgender Network, the national network for transgender, hijra, kinnars and arawanis, the integrated network for sexual minorities, bar dancers and tribal associations.  She was a key impleader in the pathbreaking NALSA vs Union of India case which awarded transgender equal rights in India. As a subject matter expert, she is on various committees established by the Ministry of social justice and empowerment GOI, National AIDS control Organisation GOI, Women and Child Policy drafting group Govt of Maharashtra, and several international groups. She is passionate about gender equality and women's rights.    Her life is portrayed in Bollywood films and in two autobiographical books – Mi Hijra Mi Laxmi, and Red lipstick the men in my life. She has been part of key mainstream TV shows - Big Boss, Dus ka Dum, And other reality shows in Hindi and regional languages. Her gift for language and building arguments was apparent in high school, where she was an award-winning debater and orator, she continues to advocate on women, transgender empowerment and Sanatana Dharma in various public discourses and events. She is a fine arts curator, an accomplished Bharat Natyam Dancer and teacher, and a music enthusiast. She has received numerous awards in recognition for her work from the government, NGOs and private foundations.