Mona (She/Her), a community member engaged with Restless Development for more than 3 years
Mona has been engaged with Restless Development under the program Delhi Learning Lab, and is now an active youth for the GCC-QUTWE (Grand Challenges Canada – Queer Affirmative Unicorns Transforming Wellbeing Ecosystem) program. Restless Development, with the support of Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) in partnership with Basic Foundation as the implementation partner under the Being initiative, aims to address the significant mental health and well-being challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth in the Dakshinpuri through this program. To mitigate these issues, the program will establish Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) as safe, community-embedded spaces to foster stronger parent-youth relationships and promote LGBTQIA+ affirmativeness.
Mona’s journey begins in a small town in Bihar, where she is the eldest child in a traditional family alongside her father, mother, and younger brother. From an early age, she felt a vibrant pull towards activities like fashion designing, stitching clothes, and playing with Barbie dolls—expressions of her identity that society often confines to girls. Yet, growing up in a deeply rooted and stigmatised environment, she faced formidable societal barriers that stifled her true self.
As a teenager, Mona grappled with the confusion of her identity, fully realising she was a transgender individual. This realisation brought both clarity and turmoil. Summoning immense courage, she chose to come out to her family, hoping for acceptance and understanding. However, the response she received was disheartening; her family, particularly unprepared for this revelation, rejected her self-identification, leaving her feeling isolated and unworthy.
But Mona was not one to be easily defeated. Time flowed on, but her hope did not wane. Determined to bridge the chasm of understanding, she tirelessly worked to foster acceptance within her family. And then, a breakthrough: her mother became her steadfast ally, championing Mona’s identity and creating a caring space for her—the sanctuary she had longed for. This glimmer of support was a turning point, igniting a newfound determination in Mona. The space at the GCC- QUTWE Youth Resource Centre provide a safe space where one can be themselves without any fear of judgment.
Despite this progress, her journey was far from over. Mona continued to advocate for herself, striving to change the hearts and minds of her other family members. With each conversation, she shared her authenticity and dreams, fighting against the prejudice that had once silenced her. Mona aims not only to thrive but to set an example for those who feel lost in a world that may not yet accept them. She is building a future where she can be independent, loud, and unafraid to share her truth—a future where others can also find freedom in their identities. Her story is a testament to the power of hope, love, and the unyielding spirit of self-acceptance.
