Sneha, a 35 years-old transgender woman, from Warangal, has been a member of the Modern Awareness Society (MAS) CBO since 2005 was the Treasurer of the CBO till 2021. She has been the community speaker from 2021 onwards on behalf of the MAS CBO. She has been using social media platforms to create awareness about the transgender community and their issues.
With the suggestion and encouragement of the MAS CBO, Ms Sneha started a YouTube channel called ‘It’s me Sneha’ in September 2022. In the channel, she showcases short videos, interviews, and case studies related to the community’s personal journey, lifestyle, services the transgender population carries out for the needy, social stigma and discrimination at the workplaces, community culture and traditions, how the community is being cheated and exploited by the partners, addressing myths and misconceptions about the community, and the gradual socio-economic developments among the Transgender community etc.
Sneha said, “Other media channels like MAA TV, and BBC Telugu were approaching me to do special programmes in their channels. I was part of one episode as a community speaker for the ‘BB Jodi’ programme on MAA TV. Another YouTube channel also interviewed me about how I started my YouTube channel. BBC Telugu invited me and did a special interview about how I have been successful in running my YouTube channel. I got the ‘Best Social Media Influencer’ award, from the Telangana government at a state-level programme under Telangana Transgender Welfare Board. In the process, I have been able to develop my technical skills in making videos and have developed better communication skills. Moreover, this enhanced my self-confidence.”