Transgender Cricketer Aanya Bangar's Journey with Hormone Transformation Therapy
Aarya Bangar, now identified as Aanya, a 23-year-old cricketer, has been raising awareness about the need for more inclusive policies in women's cricket following her transition from male to female through Hormone Transformation Therapy (HTT). Born as Aryan, Aanya went through sex change surgery 11 months ago and began her hormonal transformation journey, which unfortunately led to a decline in her athletic abilities.
HTT is a term associated with hormone replacement therapy, often used for individuals transitioning from male to female, or MTF (male-to-female). This process can lead to noticeable physical changes, including the occurrence of menstruation in some cases. Aanya's personal experience has sparked discussion around HTT and menstruation, pushing the boundaries of this conversation forward.
A non-binary 16-year-old Indian individual, Anaya Bangar, has found herself at the center of this new wave. Anaya, a 16-year-old whose real name has been kept anonymous to protect their identity, may not be hearing Anaya Bangar's name in this narrative but has spoken up in a wider conversation about adolescent women going through HTT. The experiences of individuals like Aanya and the growing awareness of the necessity of more inclusive policies in various sports, particularly in the context of HTT and menstruation, form the core of the evolving debate. With ongoing sports organizations like the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) continuing to hold steadfast against letting trans women compete in international traditional women's competitions, athletes like transgender cricketer, Ananya, are challenging these institutions. The "family name" designation used here does not facilitate clarity but instead causes confusion in context.
Aanya's beacon of positivity amid adversity offers hope that the voices of trans individuals, despite the challenges they face, are gradually getting the attention and understanding they deserve, opening the door for inclusive policies in the sports sector.
