Beoncy Laishram, Manipur’s First Transgender Doctor & A Proud Coronavirus Warrior

Beoncy Laishram has been a warrior all her life, but the tag of COVID warrior please her best. 27-year-old resident medical officer at a private hospital in Imphal is not just Manipur’s first and only transwoman doctor, but she is also North East's first transgender doctor. She is a symbol of hope for the state's highly visible yet marginalised Nupi Maanbi (transwoman) community. A former student of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Beoncy is helping in the fight against the novel coronavirus. She is also helping more disadvantaged Nupi Maanbis get access to healthcare. The state's most prominent trans activist, Santa Khurai of All Manipur Nupi Maanbi Association, said that stories like that of Beoncy's are important for those who are struggling and especially during the crisis phase.