Just like almost everything else in life, our identities transform over time. We might have had a particular nature during our pre-teens, another one during out teenage years, and a different one after turning into adults. The reason behind this transformation is simple: life's experiences and our own understanding of the self change as we grow.

And that's precisely what happened to Manpreet Singh Virk, a 23-year-old Punjabi Sikh activist, working and living in the USA. Manpreet grew up as an American, Sikh, and homosexual woman for 20 years, before realising that he is actually transgender.

"I did not even know what 'Transgender' meant until I took a Human Sexuality class, in my 2nd year of college," Manpreet wrote in a post on FeminismInIndia.com. "For 20 years, the world perceived me as a woman. So for 20 years, I experienced life as one. I experienced the sexism, microaggressions, racism, homophobia, and violence as a racialized, Queer woman," he explained.

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Manpreet describes how life as a woman was oppressive for him, but it became more so when he started transitioning into a man nearyly two years ago now. "The moment I came out as a man, I had no idea what the future would look like. People were confused and wanted answers from me, but when I provided answers, they were not enough to cure people of their hatred," he said.

Manpreet, before his transformation. Image for representative purpose. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@SinghIsQueer Manpreet, before his transformation. Image for representative purpose. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@SinghIsQueer

"No matter what information I provided and how I provided it, the responses were the same. I learned that hatred is a disease that can only be cured by the one who is suffering from it. Since coming out three years ago, I broke off so many friendships because of hatred," he added. In his search for a new identity, Manpreet took to social media. But haters, transphobes and homophobes targetted him there as well.

"Every day, I would either get a new message or a new comment that was meant to bully me. To this day, I receive the same trolling. The advice I can give to others is: call them out on it. Screenshot and repost the hate so that the world can see who is harassing you. Report every single comment that you can," he suggested.

Manpreet also pointed out just how important it is to have a support system when you're battling the hatred and scorn of the world. "I do not think cisgender/heterosexual people realize how much online bullying affects Queer/Transgender people. When Queer/Transgender people first come out, that is when they are most vulnerable, so they need all the support systems that they can get," he explained.

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A lack of support system in the form of friends and loved ones can actually wreak havoc during these times of vulnerability. Manpreet, who lost many friends during his transition phase, went through a very low period. "Having one or two friends is not enough. I remember helping several Transgender people who had attempted suicide because of their gender identity," he said, adding that, "I remember being in the same exact spot, 4 stories high, looking down, and wondering: What if I do this now? It won't hurt anymore. It won't hurt anymore. I was lucky my girlfriend called me at that moment. We struggle to survive because the world wants us dead, so how do people expect us to live?"

Manpreet, after his transformation. Image for representative purpose. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@SinghIsQueer Manpreet, after his transformation. Image for representative purpose. Picture courtesy: Twitter/@SinghIsQueer

Over the last year, however, things got a little better for Manpreet. He has been featured in a number of stories and features on both social media and publications. More importantly, he got support from the Sikh community. "I was greeted with unconditional love and support from some of the Singhs and Kaurs who reached out to me this past year. I gained countless alliances, friendships, and connections," he said.

For Manpreet, the road ahead is quite clear. He wants to create a safe space in the world for Sikh queers. "To all those who continue to look out for the vulnerable, marginalized groups, the underrepresented, and the forgotten: thank you! We can only become a united community when we start looking out for each other," he said.