MADURAI: A 23-year-old

on Saturday petitioned the Vilakkuthoon police urging them to ensure the safety of his girlfriend from her family members as they are against their relationship.

Vetrimaran said his lover's family members began opposing their relationship when they came to know about it a few months ago. Vetrimaran said they might harm her or him, which is why he approached police.

"I have got a doctor's approval, which is required to undergo

. The process will start shortly. Once I have successfully undergo it, I will become a male and I will get my name and gender changed officially. Then I will be legally eligible to get married to a woman," Vetrimaran said.

He said his family noticed the change in him when he reached teenage. "It was difficult for me to make my parents understand my position. They can't be blamed as they are illiterate. But, even educated people do not approve of people like me," he said.

Based on the petition, police summoned the family members of the girl. They were told not to harm the woman or force her to get married against her wishes. They have agreed, said

, a transsexual, who runs a trust for

persons. She said she conducted a similar marriage in the past.

Gender is not the only issue the family is opposing. The couple belongs to two different communities. While Vetrimaran is a

, the woman is from a Muslim family, a police officer said. Vetrimaran, who was born a woman, fell in love with his school classmate seven years ago. He has now completed post-graduation in commerce while the girl has completed MSc

.