Anaya Bangar Opens Up About Her Transition Journey and Upcoming Surgery
In an exclusive and heartfelt conversation, cricketer and trans-rights advocate Anaya Bangar has revealed significant details about her personal transition journey. The 25-year-old athlete, who has been a prominent voice for inclusivity in sports, is now preparing for a major milestone in her life with the full support of her family.
Family Support: From Solitary Battle to Unified Front
Anaya's journey, which she once described as a solitary battle, has transformed into a family affair. While her younger brother Atharva has consistently stood by her side, her parents—former cricketer Sanjay Bangar and Kashmira Bangar—have now come around to offer complete emotional and financial support. This shift marks a profound change in her personal narrative.
"I will be undergoing gender-affirming surgery (vaginoplasty) in March," Anaya shared exclusively. "Fashion designer Saisha Shinde and actress Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, who have also undergone the procedure, guided me through this decision. I'll be having the surgery at the same clinic in Thailand, where I'll need to stay for at least a month. After that, I'll have to rest for a while. I won't be able to play cricket for at least six months, but I'm glad this is finally happening."
The Decision: Years of Preparation and Self-Reflection
The timing of Anaya's decision was shaped by both family support and financial stability. She emphasized that this moment has been five years in the making. "I've waited for this moment for five years. This is who I am. I never felt aligned with the gender I was born with," she stated with conviction.
Describing the deeply personal journey, Anaya explained, "The decision to undergo the gender-affirming surgery came after years of therapy, medical evaluations and deep self-reflection. I went through extensive psychological and medical assessments to ensure I'm ready. This surgery isn't about proving anything to society. It's about finally feeling at home in my body."
Turning Point: Reality Show and Family Realization
Anaya credits her appearance on the reality show Rise and Fall last year as a significant turning point. "I received immense support from people and was in a better place financially, too. My father saw people taking pictures with me, standing by me and respecting me. Both my parents realised this wasn't a phase. They saw that I was serious about my life and my choices," she revealed.
This shift proved transformative for family dynamics. "This is who I am," Anaya reiterated. "I believe that's what led them to come around and offer me full support. My father is bearing the complete expenses of my surgery. At one point, I was completely on my own in the UK, and there is still a lot of stigma around LGBTQ+ people within families."
Advocacy and Future Aspirations
As she prepares for this next chapter, Anaya addressed misconceptions surrounding her advocacy work. She clarified, "No one goes this far just for publicity. When I spoke about inclusivity in cricket, it wasn't to gain attention. I don't want to invade women's cricket, if that's what people think. Sport has always been about fairness. My stand is simply that fairness should be evidence-based, not fear-based."
Looking ahead, Anaya expressed hope that her journey could help others. "I hope that by speaking out and by my family supporting me, it will help other trans women. It could make these conversations easier in someone else's home. In a country where conversations around gender identity are still difficult within families, my parents' support means everything."
Her current focus remains on healing and living fully. "Right now, my focus is on healing and living fully. Everything else will follow. I want a conversation to begin. It can be considered on a case-by-case basis. If not me, at least someone from the next generation will benefit. That's the aim."
