My name is Adam Harry and I was deemed India's first transgender trainee pilot in 2019. Soon after, the Kerala Government extended its support for me to pursue my dream of becoming a commercial pilot. I believed I could reach for the sky until the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared me 'unfit to fly' citing hormone therapy and gender dysphoria as the reasons. A review medical examination concluded that I had cleared my fitness test, but the DGCA restricted me for taking hormones. But my gender-transition has no impact on my skills as a pilot.

Gender dysphoria describes the sense of unease that a person feels as a result of a mismatch between his/her biological sex and gender identity. This feeling can lead to depression and anxiety which can further disrupt the person’s life and have negative impact on their daily life. The DGCA assumed that was the case with me and hence declared me unfit to fly. Sign my petition if you feel this is unfair.

Ever since my rejection by DGCA, I have been doing odd-jobs for a living. I have worked as a camera-surveillance operator at a start-up, I take gender-sensitisation classes and I am also a part-time Zomato delivery-boy. I take pride in the work that I do, but my dream is to fly a plane and if you sign my petition then maybe DGCA will listen to my plea to be allowed to get a pilot's license.

Join me in requesting the DGCA to issue gender-inclusive guidelines in medical procedures for pilot licensing. Everyone deserves a chance.