In another win for LGBTQ India, 27-year-old Manipuri transgender actress Bishesh Huirem is all set to represent the country at the Miss International Beauty Queen competition in Thailand.

As an accomplished mobile theatre actress, film actress, fashion designer and beautician, Bishesh already has plenty of achievements to her name and her presence at this International event is to be yet another feather in her cap.

Hailing from Imphal, historically a more tolerant an accepting region for the LGBTQ community, Bishesh has garnered a lot of support from the region. However, it wasn’t always so easy for her, her mother took a long while to accept her choice and Bishesh was beaten several times for her attraction to female clothing.

There has also been a notable lack of sponsors for the event. So while her presence at the event is a huge win for India’s trans community it’s clear that major Indian brands are still unwilling to openly support her cause.
Her last attempt to participate in the contest was cut short when she couldn’t obtain her passport and visa.

Now with this dearth of financial backers there arises the doubt whether or not she’ll make it this time round. She hopes to leave by October 27th so there will hopefully be a rise in support to make her dreams – and the dreams of every LGBTQ supporter – come true.