Kalki Subramaniam is not here to fit into society’s comfort zones. She is a trailblazer who has transformed India’s transgender narrative through unapologetic activism, disruptive art, and a relentless fight for dignity. From publishing the country’s first magazine for transgender women to influencing the 2014 Supreme Court verdict that recognized the third gender, Kalki has repeatedly challenged a system that expected silence. A celebrated poet, visual artist, entrepreneur, and DEIB strategist, she has empowered hundreds of transgender individuals with education, employment, and voice. Today, as a member of the National Council for Transgender Persons, Kalki is laser-focused on turning policy into real power. She is not asking for space anymore. She is taking it, building it, and inviting the community to rise with her.

The Social Digest: Kalki, you come from Pollachi and hold master’s degrees in Journalism and International Relations. What motivated you to publish Sahodari magazine during your studies, and how did that set the stage for your later activism?

Growing up in Pollachi, I experienced both the beauty of rural life and the harsh realities of being a transgender person in a deeply conservative society. My academic journey in Journalism and International Relations gave me the tools to understand the world more critically—but even more importantly, it sharpened my voice as a storyteller and advocate.

Sahodari magazine was born out of a deep need to create space for voices like mine. It was the first Indian magazine by and for transgender women, and I published it while I had just landed my first job. At the time, there was virtually no media representation of our lives—certainly none that reflected our dignity, our struggles, or our dreams. I wanted to change that. Sahodari became a platform for voices that had long been ignored, and it gave me a sense of purpose that extended far beyond the classroom.

The first issue of Sahodari was modest—just 100 copies. But the response was overwhelming. As soon as it came out, it became incredibly popular within the community. People waited for days just to get their hands on a copy and read it. That moment was deeply affirming. It showed me that our stories mattered, that there was a hunger for representation, and that change could begin with something as simple—and as powerful—as a magazine.

That experience laid the foundation for everything that followed. It taught me the power of media as a tool for advocacy, and it gave me the confidence to step into public life—not just as an artist or writer, but as an activist committed to systemic change.

The Social Digest: Your ‘Red Wall Project’ and ‘Thoorikai Project’ art and storytelling to amplify transgender voices. How did these initiatives originate, and what impact have you witnessed on participants?

Both the Red Wall Project and the Thoorikai Project were born from a deep belief: that art is not just expression—it’s liberation. As a transgender woman and an artist, I’ve always felt that creativity can cut through stigma in ways that policy and protest alone cannot.

The Red Wall Project began as a response to the silence and shame surrounding transgender lives. I invited transgender individuals to write their stories—raw, unfiltered—on red paper, which we then displayed on public walls. The red symbolized both pain and power. It was a way of reclaiming space, of saying: “We are here. We have stories. And we will not be erased.” The impact was immediate and emotional. Many participants told me it was the first time they had ever shared their truth publicly. For some, it was healing. For others, it was revolutionary.

The Thoorikai Project took that vision further by combining storytelling with visual art. We trained transgender individuals in painting and creative expression, and through that process, they began to tell their stories not just with words, but with color, texture, and symbolism. The name “Thoorikai” means “palette” in Tamil—a fitting metaphor for the diversity and richness of our community.

What I’ve witnessed through these projects is nothing short of transformation. Participants have gone from feeling invisible to becoming storytellers, artists, and leaders in their own right. They’ve found confidence, community, and in many cases, a new sense of purpose. And for the audiences who engage with their work, it’s often a moment of awakening—an invitation to see transgender lives not as issues, but as human, complex, and beautiful.

The Social Digest: You’ve spoken at Ivy League universities like Harvard and Yale, and addressed over a million students across India. What messages resonated most and how did those platforms influence your activism?

Speaking at institutions like Harvard and Yale, and addressing over a million students across India, has been both humbling and empowering. These platforms gave me the opportunity to bring the lived realities of transgender people—especially from India—into spaces that often operate far from them. I didn’t just speak about gender identity; I spoke about dignity, resilience, and the power of reclaiming one’s narrative.

What resonated most with audiences—whether in Ivy League halls or Indian colleges and Universities—was the idea that visibility is not enough. We need equity. We need opportunity. And we need to be seen not just as survivors, but as creators, leaders, and changemakers. I often say: “We are not asking for sympathy. We are demanding space.” That message struck a chord, especially with young people who are hungry for authenticity and justice.

These platforms also shaped my activism. They reminded me that storytelling is a bridge—between cultures, between generations, and between identities. Every time I spoke, I saw minds opening, questions being asked, and stereotypes being challenged. It reinforced my belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for social change.More than anything, these experiences deepened my commitment to grassroots work. 

The Social Digest: Through Sahodari you’ve launched education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship programs helping over 500 transgender individuals. Can you share a success story that illustrates the transformative power of these initiatives?

One of the most powerful success stories that truly captures the spirit of Sahodari’s work is that of Sowndharya Gopi from Chennai. When she first came to me, she was young, naive, and unsure of her path—but she had a spark. I saw in her a deep potential, and I began mentoring her closely. I taught her computers, leadership, and the fundamentals of activism. What stood out was her enthusiasm—she absorbed everything with such hunger and determination.

Over time, Sowndharya blossomed into a confident, articulate, and deeply committed changemaker. Today, she is the project manager of a reputed NGO and a powerful voice for the transgender community in Chennai. She’s not only leading initiatives but also helping hundreds of people in her community access resources, support, and dignity.

Watching her grow into the leader she is today fills me with immense pride. Her journey is a testament to what happens when someone is given the right tools, encouragement, and belief. Through her, the ripple effect of Sahodari’s mission continues to expand—and that, to me, is the true measure of impact. 

Not just her, there are corporate managers, police officers, doctors and are so many whose lives have been touched and transformed. 

The Social Digest: You were a key advocate behind the 2014 Supreme Court verdict recognizing transgender identity. Can you walk us through that advocacy, and what policy changes are you now prioritizing through your council role?

The 2014 Supreme Court verdict was a historic moment—not just for the transgender community, but for the soul of Indian democracy. Being part of the advocacy that led to that decision was one of the most intense and meaningful chapters of my life. Alongside other activists and community leaders, we didn’t submit legal affidavits—we shared our life stories. We spoke from the heart, offering the judiciary a window into our lived realities: the discrimination, the resilience, the humanity. It was storytelling as testimony, and it carried the weight of generations.

One of the most humbling moments in that journey was speaking at the National Seminar on Transgender and Law, conducted by UNDP. I had the opportunity to address and sensitize hundreds of members of the judiciary. I was deeply honored to know that my words and advocacy inspired the former Chief Justice of India, Altamas Kabir sir. That moment affirmed the power of lived experience to move even the highest levels of our legal system.

Since then, I’ve continued to engage with the judiciary—not just as an activist, but as an educator. I’ve conducted sensitization sessions for judges at the National Judicial Academy and the Madras Judicial Academy, helping to build empathy and understanding within the very institutions that shape our rights.

The 2014 verdict was groundbreaking. For the first time, the Supreme Court of India recognized transgender people as a ‘third gender’ and affirmed our right to self-identify. It was a legal validation of what we had always known: that our identities are real, valid, and worthy of dignity.

But legal recognition is only the beginning. In my current role on the National Council for Transgender Persons, I’m focused on turning that recognition into real, lived equality.

My priorities are centered on turning recognition into real opportunity. Transgender youth deserve safe and inclusive education systems that affirm their identities and support their ambitions. If learning environments fail them, all other reforms collapse.

Economic empowerment is equally non-negotiable. Skill training, entrepreneurship programs, and strong corporate hiring pipelines must replace the charity-based mindset that still dominates society.

Healthcare must actually include us. Gender-affirming services, mental-health support, and trained medical staff should be standard in public health systems, not luxuries available to a few.

Finally, no person can thrive without safety. Secure housing and strong protections against violence and discrimination are essential for a life lived with dignity rather than fear.

Policy must be rooted in lived experience. That’s why I continue to center the voices of grassroots transgender individuals in every discussion—because they are the experts of their own lives. The 2014 verdict opened the door. Now, we’re building the house.

The Social Digest: As a DEIB expert working with major corporations, what are some effective practices for workplace inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse employees?

As a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) expert working with major corporations, I’ve seen firsthand that true inclusion goes far beyond symbolic gestures or one-time trainings. It requires a cultural shift—one that is intentional, continuous, and rooted in empathy.

True workplace inclusion demands more than rainbow logos in Pride month. Companies must build systems that respect transgender identity from the moment a person enters the organization. HR documentation and onboarding should allow individuals to self-identify beyond the gender binary, with chosen names and pronouns used consistently across all platforms.

Healthcare benefits must stop treating transition support as optional. Gender-affirming care and mental-health services are basic requirements for equity and dignity. Anything less is discrimination dressed as policy.

Training cannot be a one-time lecture that everyone forgets by the next morning. Employees across all levels need ongoing sensitization led by transgender educators to dismantle unconscious bias and build real allyship.

Safety is non-negotiable. Companies must provide confidential reporting systems and take swift action against harassment or exclusion. If a workplace is not safe, it is not inclusive. Period.

Representation must move beyond token hiring. Transgender professionals deserve a seat in leadership, influencing decisions rather than being sidelined by them.

Finally, smart corporations partner with LGBTQIA+ organizations and grassroots leaders to stay grounded in lived reality rather than corporate assumptions. Inclusion succeeds only when it is informed by those it claims to serve.

Ultimately, inclusion is not a checklist—it’s a culture. When transgender and gender-diverse employees feel seen, respected, and valued, they don’t just contribute—they thrive. And when companies create space for that, everyone benefits.

The Social Digest: Your poetry, like ‘Don’t Tell That To Me’, ‘Kuri Aruthen’ and books like ‘We Are Not The Others’ and the recently published ‘We Will Not Be Erased’ provide personal testimony. How does writing help you express the nuanced experiences of the trans community?

For me, poetry and storytelling are not just creative outlets; they are acts of resistance, healing, and truth-telling. In a world that often tries to define us through stereotypes or silence, writing allows me to reclaim the narrative on my own terms.

Poems like Don’t Tell That To Me, Kuri Aruthen and my books ‘We Are Not The Others’ and ‘We Will Not Be Erased’ are deeply personal, but they also speak to a collective experience. They carry the weight of rejection, the ache of invisibility, the joy of self-discovery, and the quiet strength of survival. Through writing, I can express the contradictions and complexities of being transgender in a society that still struggles to see us as fully human.

What makes writing so powerful is its intimacy. It allows readers to step into our world—not as outsiders looking in, but as witnesses walking beside us. It creates empathy where there was once ignorance, and connection where there was once distance.

For the trans community, especially those who have been silenced or erased, writing becomes a form of liberation. It says: We exist. We feel. We matter. 

The Social Digest: You’ve been a vocal advocate for the Pink Economy — the untapped potential of the LGBTQ+ community as both contributors and consumers. How do you envision a thriving Pink Economy in India, and what shifts—social, corporate, or governmental—are essential to truly empower transgender entrepreneurs?

The Pink Economy is not just about market potential—it’s about recognition, dignity, and empowerment. For too long, transgender individuals in India have been viewed through a lens of charity rather than capability. I envision a thriving Pink Economy where transgender entrepreneurs are celebrated as innovators, creators, and leaders—running businesses in beauty, art, tech, fashion, and beyond. It’s about shifting the narrative from survival to success, and from exclusion to economic agency.

To make this vision a reality, we need systemic change. The government must offer accessible funding, incubation, and policy support tailored to transgender entrepreneurs. Corporates must go beyond tokenism and invest in LGBTQ+ suppliers and startups. And most importantly, society must shift its mindset—seeing us not as dependents, but as contributors. At Sahodari Foundation, we’re already nurturing this future through mentorship, skill-building, and enterprise. A strong Pink Economy won’t just uplift LGBTQ+ lives—it will enrich the soul of India itself.

The Social Digest: You were nominated for L’Oréal’s Women of Worth — a recognition that celebrates resilience, compassion, and change-making. What did that moment mean to you personally, and how do you define ‘worth’ in your own journey?

Being nominated for L’Oréal’s Women of Worth was a deeply emotional moment for me. It wasn’t just a personal honor—it was a recognition of every transgender person who has fought to be seen, heard, and valued. To stand among women celebrated for their resilience and compassion, and to be acknowledged not in spite of my identity but because of the strength it has forged in me, was incredibly affirming. It reminded me that our stories—our struggles and triumphs—are worthy of the spotlight.

For me, ‘worth’ has never been defined by titles, wealth, or validation from others. It’s about impact. It’s about how many lives you’ve touched, how much dignity you’ve restored, and how bravely you’ve lived your truth. My worth lies in the voices I’ve helped amplify, the doors I’ve helped open, and the hope I’ve helped ignite in others. That nomination was not the destination—it was a mirror reflecting how far we’ve come, and how much further we can go when we walk together.

The Social Digest: Now serving on the National Council for Transgender Persons, and translating government schemes into regional languages—what’s next for you in making policy and representation more accessible?

Serving on the National Council for Transgender Persons has given me a powerful platform to bridge the gap between policy and people. One of my key efforts has been not just translating government schemes into regional languages, but also sensitizing transgender individuals about their rights and how to access these schemes. Many in our community are unaware of the support available to them, or feel intimidated by bureaucratic systems. By conducting awareness sessions and simplifying complex policies so that even a trans person living in a remote village can access and understand it, I aim to empower transgender persons to claim what is rightfully theirs—with confidence and clarity.

What’s next for me is deepening that accessibility through technology, community engagement, and grassroots leadership. I’m working toward building digital platforms that simplify government schemes, offer legal and healthcare guidance, and connect transgender individuals to opportunities in their own language and context. I also want to see more transgender voices in policymaking—not just as beneficiaries, but as architects of change. Representation must move from tokenism to transformation. That’s the future I’m committed to shaping.

The Social Digest: Also an interesting question to end the interview, you’ve used paint, poetry, and protest as your tools of change. If your journey were a canvas, what would it look like today—and what color would you paint the future of the transgender movement in India?

If my journey were a canvas, it would be layered—textured with bold strokes of pain, resilience, joy, and defiance. You’d see deep reds for the battles fought, indigos for the nights of solitude, golds for the moments of triumph, and vibrant pinks and purples for the love and solidarity that have carried me forward. It wouldn’t be a perfect painting—but it would be honest, alive, and unapologetically human.

As for the future of the transgender movement in India, I would paint it in a radiant shade of emerald green—the color of growth, renewal, and fearless possibility. Green represents a future where transgender people are not just surviving but thriving—leading businesses, shaping policy, creating art, and living with dignity. It’s the color of a movement that is rooted, rising, and unstoppable. And I believe that future is not just a dream—it’s already beginning to bloom.

Closing Note

My journey has never been about seeking permission—it’s been about creating space. Space for truth, for beauty, for justice. From the red walls of protest to the quiet pages of poetry, from grassroots empowerment to national policy, I’ve learned that change begins when we dare to imagine a world that doesn’t yet exist—and then work every day to build it.

To every transgender person reading this: your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your dreams are valid. We are not the others—we are the future. And that future is ours to paint, in every color we choose.

This interview was conducted by  Angel Shukla, The Social Digest on 21/10/2025. If you have any interview recommendations or have a story that you want to share with our readers, get in touch with our editor Vedant Bhrambhatt, at editor@thesocialdigest.com