LGBT Pride on WordPress – Gauri Sawant

Gauri Sawant; Society told her that she is not a woman; but she became a mother. They told her that she has no rights of her own, that she does not exist in the eyes of the law; yet, she took in an orphaned girl to protect her right to a happy childhood, so that another little girl doesn’t get trafficked and disappear into oblivion.

Gauri Sawant, born and raised in Pune, is a transgender living in Mumbai for more than 20 years. Gauri Sawant is a 37-year-old transgender social activist. Born as Ganesh Suresh Sawant, she was born and raised in a conservative family in Pune. At a very early age of 9, after her mother’s demise, Gauri realised that she is different from others. After her mother passed away, she was raised by her grandmother. As a child, she has always been effeminate and more inclined towards the female gender.

During one of her several visits to Mumbai’s red-light area Kamathipura, Gauri decided not to be a bystander and stepped in. She adopted Gayatri and is bringing her up as her own daughter. She had always wanted to be a mother – even if the world refuses to see her as such.

“I don’t feel special. I became a mother because of Gayatri and she is my pillar of strength. I did what every mother does, As I believe ‘Care has no Gender'” says Gauri.

Gauri Tai has decided to build a home for the children of sex workers called Aajicha Ghar – आजीचं घर, using her own patch of land, with the hope that given the right environment and coupled with love and support, these children can become anything they would want to be, instead of falling back to the cycle.

In real life, the idea for building a home for children did not crop up suddenly. A trip into the lanes of Kamathipura, Mumbai’s oldest red-light district, ended up in Gauri stumbling upon something that she would never quite forget

Instead of approaching others, She decided that she will build a home for these children. The thought helped her realize the aptness of the phrase, ‘charity begins at home!

Gauri’s connection with WordPress

Along with Collaborating with crowdfunding website Milaap, Gauri wanted to have her own online space for Aajicha Ghar – आजीचं घर which is built on WordPress, Gauri intends to raise funds through her website, towards providing a safe haven for the children. This could be their best shot at escaping the vicious circle their mothers have unfortunately been led to.

Gauri wants to help other children born to sex-workers. With her shelter ‘Aajicha Ghar – आजीचं घर‘ she wants to make a home and a new future for vulnerable children. It is also to be a place of refuge for other trans workers who are vulnerable to violence.

Topic: WordPress and LGBT

At WordCamp Nashik Tai, will share her WordPress story, on How publishing the website Aajicha Ghar – आजीचं घर on WordPress, helped her to raise funds for the noble cause!

Want to listen Gauri’s story, Make sure you book your seats here, before they are sold out!

See y’all at WordCamp Nashik!