A large crowd gathered at the CIAL convention centre in Nedumbassery in Ernakulam on Thursday. People of all genders, and their children, were there to cheer on the participants of Queen of Dhwayah, 2017, the first beauty pageant for transgender women in Kerala.

The participants of Queen of Dhwayah, 2017.

A large crowd gathered to watch the pageant.

And among the audience were several celebrities. The pageant was attended by actors like Madhoo, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Ramya Nambeeshan, Sadhika, Muktha, Krishna Prabha, Shamna Kasim, singer Rimi Tomy and several others.

From L to R: Dhwayah convenor and make up artist Renju, Madhoo, TV anchor Pearly Mani, Remya nambeesan, MLA MK Muneer, Minister KK Shailaja

Miss India 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan and Ranjani Haridas enjoyed the show put up by the participants.

It was a proud moment for the state when 15 participants walked the ramp to a packed hall. The panel of judges included actor Ranjini Haridas, Miss India 2008 and actor Parvathy Omanakuttan, Dr Paul Mani and Dr Sam of AHF India.

The pageant consisted of three rounds: Kerala ethnic, designer sari and the gown.

There were six finalists, and ironically, the final question for the transgender beauty pageant was: “If you adopt a child, which gender would you prefer? Boy or Girl?”

While all the others answered girl, Shyama - who went on to win the crown - said that she would adopt a boy. “Compared to women, men harass transgender persons more, so I would like to adopt a boy and teach him how to respect transgender persons, and how they are equal to others. Let him grow up by learning to respect all equally,” she said.

Shyama was crowned the Queen of Dhwayah, 2017.

The 25-year-old post graduate in Malayalam was also the first person to receive the state government scholarship for transgender persons a few weeks back.

The event was organised by Dhwayah - an organisation that works with the transgender community in the state, and was inaugurated by CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. State Health Minister KK Shailaja also attended the function as guest.

CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated the pageant by lighting a lamp.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja in the audience.

Speaking to TNM, state Health Minister KK Shailaja said, “Transgender persons are still not fully included by the society. There are engineering graduates who were denied jobs just because of their identity. The Kerala government has done many things for transgender persons. We have launched a lot of schemes for them. And we will continue to develop a lot of schemes so that transgender persons can come into the mainstream fully.”

“We can together work towards it. Transgender persons should aim to complete their education, and the government will be with them at every step,” she added.