Akkai Padmashali has just won the right to get a passport issued for her five-year-old son that didnt include a fathers name and listed her as the mother, a victory for both trans women and single mothers in the country. In 2018, Padmashali became the first trans woman in the state of Karnataka to register a marriage, and a year later she adopted her son, Avin. She later divorced her husband. Related How this trans person used Instagram to build a life after leaving a male-dominated working world Ive found my new voice, and I dont need validation from anyone. She said that getting a passport for her son without her ex-husbands name on it was difficult. Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Getting his passport was a huge struggle, she told the Time of India. For Avins passport, I had to visit the Regional Passport Office in Koramangala. There, a transphobic woman kept asking for details of Avins father, despite me showing her the divorce papers and the deed of adoption. She even said, I am going to put your childs adopted fathers name. Otherwise, Ill not issue the passport. But I questioned her logic and got the higher-ups involved. Finally, he got his passport, with just my name onit.Transphobia is a huge issue, she continued. Otherwise, I wouldnt have been in such a situation. I may not look like a cis-het woman but I identify as a woman and thats that. That should be enough.The Washington Blade points out that 2016 reforms to the nations passport laws allowed single parents to get a passport for their child without listing the other parents name on it.Padmashali said that the national passport authority in India is very sensitive to the needs of transgender people.I got my passport as a female, andAvinsalso getting the passport without naming the father, I thinkitsa national issue, she said. From the transgenderpersonspoint of view, I am happy that my Supreme Court has recognized the community and the parliament has recognized the Transgender Protection Act. India is in process of progressing, I would say. Padmashali made headlines in 2019 when she adopted her child. It has been my dream and desire, she said at the time. Our families have accepted the baby.Itsheart-warming to seethe little one playing on mymotherslap.I just hope that he does not face any kind of discrimination and social stigma when he grows up.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.