Rayyan (Rayyana)

A Caravan recognising 12 years of the NALSA judgement, 2014 and rejecting in entirety the Transgender Amendment Act "26. Today on Ambedkar Jayanti we demand for our right to self-identification of gender as enshrined by Dr. Ambedkar in our Constitution. On the evening of 13 March 2026, the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The bill takes away a fundamental right recognised by the Supreme Court the right to determine one's own gender identity from the citizens of this country. The introduction of this bill raises some serious and urgent questions that we, as concerned citizens, need answered. "Educate. Agitate. Organize." Said Dr. Ambedkar, and that's our intention. For Bhim, Liberty without equality doesn't work. For it can produce conditions of dominion; equality without liberty can become coercive; and both, without fraternity, remain fragile. This insight remains directly relevant to today's debates on gender identity. The right to self-identify one's own gender is not only recognized by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment of NALSA Union of India (2014), it has also been acknowledged by the Govt via the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, and was included in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

An incredibly grounding day at Azad Maidan today. Such a huge number of us came together in opposition and rejection of the Transgender Protection Amendment Bill! Even as the Supreme Court recommended the Rajya Sabha to not hear the bill, even as Rajya Sabha ignored this instructions and heard the bill - at the same time we came together stronger than before. We shouted and chanted even as we heard that the bill had passed. And those of us who have been doing this for years and decades assured the rest of us that this was not the end! There is just no way we are going back. And it's doesn't matter what the parliament or Supreme Court says, we will have our Constitution-ally given - right to dignity. It was the greatest joy for me to see us come across division lines and openly speak against this attempt to control us and define us by the government. The chant from the audience saying "Hum aapke saath hai" is still resounding in my ears and fills me up with warmth and a sense of safety in this chaotic time. Thank you for letting me speak today, I am just a baby queer. I want to thank and show gratitude to our elder queers. Those of you who were here before Trans Act in 2019, Or even before the Nalsa. Thank you @gracebanu , and thank you Zainab Patel. I don’t know how you did it, but thank you, and thank you for being here now. You mean the world to me, to us. You make this long fight ahead seem possible. Video by @issugandha and @basicballofsunshine #rejecttransbill2026 @rejecttransbill2026 #billtohkacchahaiji @againsttransbill #nogoingback

Peak ally behaviour! Now that's a desi hip-hop artist to call a role model!! This moment during the Music Video shoot for @_99side_ 's Hustler will always be remembered by me. Now whenever I hear the song this moment, and the feeling of watching 99Side and Eklavya stand up against the erasure of Trans identities. When @ashinyourtray the Transgender/ Non-binary co-director of the music video reached out to me, I was sold when he said I can do the Against Trans Amendment Act mehendi/ henna tattoos and they would use the clip in the video. In fact he was already planning the now famous images of the burning Trans Bill. What I absolutely didn't imagine, is that 99Side and his close friend Eklavya, were such sincere and powerful allies. They handled the situation with the resolve and patience it required. And from then onwards I of course have become a life long fan of 99side. Every one of his tracks including Hustler speaks against stereotypes of Hip-hop and often speak about the trials of caste and class oppression. While we were in Bamanwada for the shoot we witnessed how the children look upto him and how he takes that position with great responsibility. Which is what makes this moment extra special. There was a school opposite where we were shooting and before this interruption we already had a large audience of school children watching. In the Desi Hip Hop industry with its fare share of folks glorifying violence and misogyny, some of whom are openly Transphobic and homophobic there are those who like 99side stand up for equality and respect. ✊🏼🥹🏳️‍⚧️💖 Video Credits: Director: @ashinyourtray and @_99side_ Director of Photography (DOP): Jeh Chauhan @joocyyj Cinematography: Vinayak Choppari @vinayakchoppari Project Manager: Sameer Inamdar/Rapture Stylist: Neon, Arson Art Director: Neon, Jeh Chauhan @imakeshitup Art Assistant: Rishita Kanwal Makeup (MUA): Neon Editor: Lokesh Mishra @ik.lokesh BTS: Lokesh Mishra, Jeh Chauhan Production Assistant: Digvijay Ojha Audio Credits: Artist: 99side, Anand Shinde Lyrics & Performed by: 99side, Anand Shinde Music Produced by: Rofflala Mixed & Mastered by: Ishh A&R: Sameer Inamdar/

*GOOSEBUMPS* if you watch this mini film and don't get goosebumps let me know please 🪻 Recently dropped, the Music Video for Khatarnak from @dont.interrupt.while.we.dance is an epic story of the power of Transgender/ Enby and Queer Resistance in our nation today! Not only did I get goosebumps the first time I saw this music video for the song by written by @alooreet and @geetanjalikalta I also cried. It did what it wanted to, it showed me the love and sheer will of our community in light of this abomination of a Protection Act. When the news first broke I dismayed and nihilis-ised our lives and my life. And just like what I've shared earlier, the power and determination of us together is the hope that keeps on giving. It's what keeps us all going. And so a Music Video of a film that both celebrates and archives our resolve and reality is one worth cherishing and is something of immense importance. GO WATCH NOWWWWWWW 🏳️‍⚧️❤️🪻 Vocals - @geetanjalikalta Producer - Geetanjali Kalta, KAPOW! Lyrics - @alooreet Featuring KAPOW! Production and Engineering - Vishal Sharma, Ritic Joel Victoria, Ayana Joe, Geetanjali Kalta Mixing and Mastering - Vishal Sharma Composition - Geetanjali Kalta Recording Engineer - Ritic Joel Victoria, Geetanjali Kalta Vocal Editing - Ayana Joe Drums - Prakhar Srivastava Bass Guitar - Saira Afreen Electric Guitar - Vinod Arora 'Don't Interrupt While We Dance' is a completely crowd funded project, made by a cast and crew of queer and trans people and with the support of the community. They are taking the film on community screenings across the country - to organize spaces.

We gathered to commemorate the rights the NALSA JUDGMENT recognised 12 years ago, and to reject and agitate against the unconstitutional and oppressive Trans Amendment Act '26. The Act impedes on the very constitutional rights that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has enshrined in our constitution. The right to determine and choose one's own identity. Which the NALSA Judgement, 12 years ago identified also covers the right to determination of one's own gender. The same week as this gathering was the 135th Ambedkar Jayanti. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice. He believed self-identification was essential for true equality and freedom from caste, class, communal and other forms of oppression. 18th April, Thane #NoGoingBack

Urgent Casting opportunity for female actors - Mumbai Based. For a 2 day shoot for our Diploma (thesis) film this May. The film is a coming of age story, of a trans woman in college at the time of announcement of Amendment Act 26. Through her journey she comes to see that coming of age for her is seeing resistance as Joy. Shoot dates: May 21st to 25th (Two days only) Shoot location: Mumbai Written by @writingicing With Director of Photography @prabhanshii Associate directors: @tia.anainah @naina_gujral Produced by @chahat_sawant Mentored by @gadalfthebrown Protagonist Cast @theonlyrochellepinto Music by @ew_punk

Casting opportunity for Short film. We are shooting our Diploma (thesis) film in May. The film is a coming of age story, of a trans woman in college at the time of announcement of Trans Amendment Act 26. Through her journey she comes to see that coming of age for her is seeing resistance as Joy. We are seeking cast members for the college scenes. Shoot dates: May 23rd and 24th Shoot location: Mumbai Written by @writingicing With Director of Photography @prabhanshii Associate directors: @tia.anainah @naina_gujral Produced by @chahat_sawant Mentored by @gadalfthebrown Protagonist Cast @theonlyrochellepinto Music by @ew_punk

On the 12 year anniversary of NALSA Judgement (15th April, 2026) a lovely bunch of Queer, Trans, Enby and allies celebrated their right to self-identification by bringing homemade Nimbu-Pani (lemonade) and their own fun selfs to the Chaityabhoomi Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak. We handed out Nimbu-Pani and also shared how the recently passed Trans Amendment Act '26 impedes on the very constitutional rights that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has enshrined in our constitution. The right to determine and choose one's own identity. Which the NALSA Judgement, 12 years ago identified also covers the right to determination of one's own gender. We were there on the 15th of April, the day after the 135th Ambedkar Jayanti. Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar, Mumbai, is famous as the sacred final resting place (cremation site) of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice. He believed self-identification was essential for true equality and freedom from caste, class, communal and other forms of oppression. We shared with folks we met, how there was no going back for us and what the personal implications of this abhorrent act on our lives. When we spoke to them it was easy to see that there were those who had empathy for us and what we were doing. If you'd like some Nimbu-Pani and chats let us know 🏳️‍⚧️💖🏳️‍🌈 Music @dont.interrupt.while.we.dance

Thank you, Bengaluru! We laughed, teared up, and talked through Malwa Khushan and Sir…Ma’am! at Swabhava with Good As You. No formalities just stories, honesty, and community. Grateful to everyone who showed up and made the room feel safe. Stay tuned for more such fun events and meet ups. #qknitfoundation #moviescreening #collaboration #lgbtqia #bengaluru

“This mentorship program is really going to highlight and make this film better,” says @rayyanmonkey , director and co-writer of Us Girls — Runner-Up at KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant 2025. 🏳️‍⚧️✨ The KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant is designed to support emerging LGBTQIA+ filmmakers with funding, mentorship, and a platform to bring their stories to life. 🎬 The KASHISH QDrishti Film Grant 2026 is now open. 🏳️‍🌈 Discounted registration for trans, non-binary & queer creators 💫 Submit now, pay later If you have a story to tell, this is your moment. Apply now — link in bio 🔗 #KASHISHQDrishtiFilmGrant2026 #ApplyNow #LGBTQIA #Filmmakers

Virtual hugs to all my trans siblings💗🫂. Never forget to celebrate yourself in a world that dictates you🌸 Happy National Transgender Day🏳️‍⚧️ #rejecttransact2026 #siblingslove #fypppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp #democracy exploremore

Today it has been 12 years since the Supreme court recognised and enshrined our right to gender self-identification in the NALSA Judgment. I was only ever able to accept my identity and come out as transgender, when my rights to self-identification were protected! It took me 30 years of my life to get there. The NALSA Judgment, used the already Constitution-ally enshrined right to self-identification to ensure that gender identity is decided by the individual themselves (without medical exam) When the Government recognised transgender rights, and passed the Transgender Protection of Act of 2019, and the Supreme Court gave the rules in 2020, only then was I able to come out in 2021 and declare who I actually was. In queer years I am only as old as the Trans Act of 2020. So this year when on March 13th the Central Government announced and then extremely quickly passed The Trans Amendment Act that works directly against the NALSA Judgment, it forced me to grow and change. Thankfully I have my chosen family affirming my identity and being a part of our organising against the act. @nixter18 is the one I am sitting behind. I no longer need the Law to affirm my gender for me, I know who I am and my friends and family know who I am. It took me a long time to affirm to myself who I am, and back then the law helped big time. I join the scores of Trans/ Enby and queer persons who have lived in this city WITHOUT any government acceptance for decades. I now channel their strength and influence as we strive towards protecting our Constitution-ally protected rights.