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Transgender host of a new talk show hits India airwaves
Rose is the new face of the new controversial talk show in India. Ippadikku Rose, anchored by 28-year old Rose from Madras (Chennai), will be the firs
"I expect a lot of positive reaction to the choosing of me as an anchor"
The new talk show will which premiered on Thursday plans to cover issues of sexual harassment against women. The show will address socially taboo topics in India such as gay rights, sexual abuse and prostitution.
In an interview with the BBC World Service's Outlook programme Rose said:
"I expect a lot of positive reaction to the choosing of me as an anchor.
"The early response to the show has been good."
Rose has a master’s degree in biomedical engineering acquired from the US and has had previous experience as a web site designer.
Although Rose never felt comfortable as a boy since the age of five, she did not start dressing as a woman until her 20s. Despite her newfound television success, she has had to deal with the issues of coming out to family and friends which has proven to be difficult.
"Not all of them have welcomed me with open hands. My mum was shattered, my dad burst out into tears and was full of sorrow," she said in the BBC interview.
After studying in the US, her family believed marriage could be a ‘possible solution’ to try and change her.
Transsexuals, known as 'hijras' in India, were traditionally surrounded by superstition and myth however modern society has been less tolerant and they are commonly shunned by family. They often struggle to get jobs and many turn to begging and prostitution.
Rose who has suffered public ridicule and physical abuse hopes that her show will change society's attitudes towards transgender.
