India elects first transgender mayor

MANILA, Philippines—India made history after it elected its first transgender mayor in Raigarh Municipal Corporation in Chhattisgarh state on Sunday.

Independent candidate Madhu Kinnar beat Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mahaveer Guruji by 4,357 votes to become the first transgender mayor of Raigarh Municipal Corporation, according to a report by India-based New Delhi Television (NDTV).

Shortly after her win, Kinnar vowed to fulfill the dreams of the people who voted for her.

“People have shown faith in me. I consider this win as love and blessings of people for me. I’ll put in my best efforts to accomplish their dreams,” Kinnar said.

The 35-year-old Kinnar funded her mayoralty bid by singing and dancing in trains. She said that it was the public who prodded her to run as mayor.

“It was the public support that encouraged me to enter the poll fray for the first time and because of their support only, I emerged as the winner,” Kinnar added.

In a landmark ruling issued by the Indian Supreme Court in 2014, transgender people have been recognized as “third gender.” There are an estimated two million transgender people in India.

“It is the right of every human being to choose their gender,” the decision read.

However, homosexuality is still considered a crime under Indian law.

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