Adam Harry India’s first transgender trainee pilot working as Zomato delivery staff till he is allowed to fly

Adam Harry who is India’s first transgender trainee pilot in 2019 forced to take a job as Zomato’s delivery staff after being denied to fly commercial jets by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to DGCA, he was declared unfit to fly on the basis of hormone therapy and gender dysphoria.

Adam Harry has to undergo extensive medical examination along with transphobic questions. The DGCA has claimed his gender dysphoria upon psychometric evaluation. The aviation directorate even further described gender dysphoria quoting the National Health Services (NHS) of the United Kingdom’s definition of it. They said that gender dysphoria is what a person feels as a result of a mismatch between his or her biological sex and gender identity.

However, the U.K.’s NHS has also mentioned about treatments for gender dysphoric people should be to let them who they want to identify as. The NHS said on its website, “Treatment for gender dysphoria aims to help people live the way they want to, in their preferred gender identity or as non-binary….Some young people with lasting signs of gender dysphoria who meet strict criteria may be referred to a hormone specialist (consultant endocrinologist) to see if they can take hormone blockers as they reach puberty. This is in addition to psychological support.”

According to the reports developed by the NHS, the question is being raised that the officials of the aviation directorate could focus on the whole aspect of gender dysphoria including its treatment than a fragmented definition.

Adam has been identifying himself as a transman from an early age. He has gone to several psychiatrists to help ease his problems but none could lend him dignified help. Later he was relocated to South Africa where he could express himself freely. He went to secure a Private pilot Licence from the aviation academy at the Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg. In 2022 Kerala Government announced INR 23.34 lakhs to support him by getting him enrolled in Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation.

Adam has filed a petition to the High Court for being asked transphobic questions during the extended medical examinations. He was asked personal questions such as ‘how will you marry.’ He has been working as a Zomato delivery staff till he gets his rights back.