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{{Short description|Indian politician and journalist}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2016}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2016}}
'''Apsara Reddy''' (born '''Ajay Reddy''')is an Indian [[Trans woman|transwoman]] politician and journalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/interview/41152.html|title="எனக்கு நானே ஒரு கிஃப்ட்!" - அப்சரா ரெட்டி {{!}} அப்சரா ரெட்டி|date=2013-07-11|website=www.vikatan.com/|language=ta|access-date=2019-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112195124/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/interview/41152.html|archive-date=12 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was earlier inducted as National Spokesperson of [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam by Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in 2016]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/nov/20/after-khushbu-sundar-apsara-reddy-deserts-congress-to-rejoin-aiadmk-2225904.html|title = After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK}}</ref> On 8 January 2018, Reddy became the first transgender person to hold office in the [[Indian National Congress as the party’s National General Secretary for the All India Women’s Congress|Congress]] She returned to the AIADMK and campaigned as its star campaigner in the 2021 State elections.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-05|title=Apsara Reddy, Congress Party's First Transgender Office-Bearer, On Life, Love And Politics|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/apsara-reddy-congress-partys-first-transgender-office-bearer-on-life-love-and-politics_in_5c59b675e4b087104757e287|access-date=2021-03-31|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref>
'''Apsara Reddy''' (born '''Ajay Reddy''') is an Indian [[trans woman]] politician and journalist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/interview/41152.html|title="எனக்கு நானே ஒரு கிஃப்ட்!" - அப்சரா ரெட்டி {{!}} அப்சரா ரெட்டி|date=2013-07-11|website=www.vikatan.com/|language=ta|access-date=2019-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112195124/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/interview/41152.html|archive-date=12 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was earlier inducted as National Spokesperson of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) by former Chief Minister [[J. Jayalalithaa]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/nov/20/after-khushbu-sundar-apsara-reddy-deserts-congress-to-rejoin-aiadmk-2225904.html|title = After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK| date=20 November 2020 }}</ref><ref name="supportive">{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/apsara-reddy-on-how-supportive-the-city-has-been-to-her/article68497395.ece |title=Apsara Reddy on how supportive the city has been to her |date=August 8, 2024 |website=The Hindu |access-date=September 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807202201/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/apsara-reddy-on-how-supportive-the-city-has-been-to-her/article68497395.ece |archive-date=August 7, 2024}}</ref> On 8 January 2018, Reddy became the first transgender person to hold office in the Congress. She returned to the AIADMK and campaigned as its star campaigner in the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2021 State elections]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-05|title=Apsara Reddy, Congress Party's First Transgender Office-Bearer, On Life, Love And Politics|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/apsara-reddy-congress-partys-first-transgender-office-bearer-on-life-love-and-politics_in_5c59b675e4b087104757e287|access-date=2021-03-31|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref>
{{Infobox politician
{{Infobox politician
  | name          =
  | name          =
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  | party = All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (from April 2020)
  | party = All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (from April 2020)
|otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]] (September 2018 to April 2020)
|otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]] (September 2018 to April 2020)
| years_active  = 2016 with AIADMK prior to briefly joining congress and the returning to AIADMK
  | module        =  
  | module        =  
   {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes
   {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes
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==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==


Reddy has a BA degree in Journalism from [[Monash University]] and an MA in Broadcasting with a special focus on Developmental Economics from the [[City University London|City University]] in [[London]]. She was the Overseas Students Service's President at Monash University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://qrius.com/meet-apsara-reddy-congresss-first-transgender-womens-wing-general-secretary/|title=Meet Apsara Reddy, Congress's first transgender women's wing general secretary|date=2019-01-10|website=Qrius|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref>
Reddy has a BA degree in Journalism from [[Monash University]] and an MA in Broadcasting with a special focus on Developmental Economics from the [[City University London|City University]] in [[London]]. She was the Overseas Students Service's President at Monash University.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Digital |first1=Zimble |url=https://qrius.com/meet-apsara-reddy-congresss-first-transgender-womens-wing-general-secretary/|title=Meet Apsara Reddy, Congress's first transgender women's wing general secretary|date=2019-01-10|website=Qrius|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Reddy has worked with the ''[[BBC World Service]]'', ''[[The Hindu]]'', '' [[Commonwealth Secretariat]]'' in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiftyshadesofgay.co.in/apsara-reddy-becomes-first-transgender-office-bearer-in-congresss-history/|title=Apsara Reddy Becomes First Transgender Office-bearer In Congress's History|date=2019-01-09|website=FIFTY SHADES OF GAY|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref> ''[[New Indian Express]]'' and ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]''. She has written columns on topics including consumerism, politics, celebrity lifestyles and education. She has interviewed [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Aishwarya Rai]], Ex PM Australia [[John Howard]], F1 racer [[Michael Schumacher]], [[AR Rahman]], and Hollywood star [[Nicolas Cage]]. She has also covered the tsunami from [[Sri Lanka]], [[India]] and [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsx.com/national/congress-appoints-transgender-person-apsara-reddy-as-general-secretary-of-its-women-wing|title=Congress appoints transgender activist Apsara Reddy as general secretary of its women wing|date=2019-01-08|website=NewsX|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}}</ref>
Reddy has worked with the ''[[BBC World Service]]'', ''[[The Hindu]]'',<ref name="supportive"/> '' [[Commonwealth Secretariat]]'' in London,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiftyshadesofgay.co.in/apsara-reddy-becomes-first-transgender-office-bearer-in-congresss-history/|title=Apsara Reddy Becomes First Transgender Office-bearer In Congress's History|date=2019-01-09|website=FIFTY SHADES OF GAY|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-25|archive-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525070710/http://fiftyshadesofgay.co.in/apsara-reddy-becomes-first-transgender-office-bearer-in-congresss-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[New Indian Express]]'' and ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]''. She has written columns on topics including consumerism, politics, celebrity lifestyles and education. She has interviewed [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Aishwarya Rai]], Ex PM Australia [[John Howard]], F1 racer [[Michael Schumacher]], [[AR Rahman]], and Hollywood star [[Nicolas Cage]]. She has also covered the tsunami from [[Sri Lanka]], [[India]] and [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsx.com/national/congress-appoints-transgender-person-apsara-reddy-as-general-secretary-of-its-women-wing|title=Congress appoints transgender activist Apsara Reddy as general secretary of its women wing|date=2019-01-08|website=NewsX|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25|archive-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525070710/https://www.newsx.com/national/congress-appoints-transgender-person-apsara-reddy-as-general-secretary-of-its-women-wing|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Reddy has had a television show in [[Tamil Nadu]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} She has also worked at the Indian Consulate in [[Melbourne]] as a media adviser to the Consulate General, Dr. [[T.J. Rao]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
She has also worked at the Indian Consulate in [[Melbourne]] as a media adviser to the Consulate General, Dr. [[T.J. Rao]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Kundu | first=Sreemoyee Piu | title=How society made Apsara regret wanting to be transgender | website=dailyO | date=3 April 2016 | url=https://www.dailyo.in/lifestyle/transgender-woman-apsara-reddy-gay-marriage-homosexuality-lgbt-section-377-9865 | access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref>


Reddy also worked briefly with [[UNICEF]] to launch a health campaign across [[Tamil Nadu]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
Reddy also worked briefly with [[UNICEF]] to launch a health campaign across [[Tamil Nadu]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
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===Politics===
===Politics===
In May 2016, she joined the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]](AIADMK).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chennaionline.com/category/chennai-360/|title=Chennai 360 – Chennaionline|website=chennaionline.com}}</ref> Previously, she had joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/from-lotus-to-two-leaves-in-a-jiffy/article8582729.ece|title=From lotus to two leaves in a jiffy|date=11 May 2016|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[http://en.hawkfeed.com/meet-apsara-reddy-indias-first-transgender-politician-from-bjp/5/ Meet Apsara Reddy, latest sensational Politician from BJP]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Third-gender-pitches-for-lead-role-in-politics/articleshow/51654698.cms|title=Third gender pitches for lead role in politics|first=Shilpa|last=Vasudevan|date=April 2, 2016|website=The Times of India}}</ref> In January 2019, she was appointed national general secretary of [[All India Mahila Congress]] by [[Rahul Gandhi]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newsd.in/congress-appoints-apsara-reddy-as-the-first-transgender-officer-bearer/|title=Congress appoints Apsara Reddy as the first transgender National General Secretary of AIMC|work=Newsd www.newsd.in|access-date=2018-01-08|language=en}}</ref> In November 2020, she rejoined [[AIADMK]] ahead of the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election]] .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/nov/20/after-khushbu-sundar-apsara-reddy-deserts-congress-to-rejoin-aiadmk-2225904.html|title = After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK}}</ref>
In May 2016, she joined the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]](AIADMK).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chennaionline.com/category/chennai-360/|title=Chennai 360 – Chennaionline|website=chennaionline.com}}</ref> Previously, she had joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/from-lotus-to-two-leaves-in-a-jiffy/article8582729.ece|title=From lotus to two leaves in a jiffy|date=11 May 2016|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[http://en.hawkfeed.com/meet-apsara-reddy-indias-first-transgender-politician-from-bjp/5/ Meet Apsara Reddy, latest sensational Politician from BJP]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Third-gender-pitches-for-lead-role-in-politics/articleshow/51654698.cms|title=Third gender pitches for lead role in politics|first=Shilpa|last=Vasudevan|date=April 2, 2016|website=The Times of India}}</ref> In January 2019, she was appointed national general secretary of [[All India Mahila Congress]] by [[Rahul Gandhi]], making her the first transgender person to be appointed as a general secretary of any political party in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newsd.in/congress-appoints-apsara-reddy-as-the-first-transgender-officer-bearer/|title=Congress appoints Apsara Reddy as the first transgender National General Secretary of AIMC|work=Newsd www.newsd.in|access-date=2018-01-08|language=en}}</ref> In November 2020, she rejoined [[AIADMK]] ahead of the [[2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/nov/20/after-khushbu-sundar-apsara-reddy-deserts-congress-to-rejoin-aiadmk-2225904.html |title=After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK |date=20 November 2020 |website=New Indian Express |access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 21, 2020 |title=Apsara Reddy rejoins AIADMK |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/apsara-reddy-rejoins-aiadmk/article33146250.ece |access-date=September 29, 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121053039/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/apsara-reddy-rejoins-aiadmk/article33146250.ece |archive-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2014/12/apsara-reddy-interview/ Interview with Apsara Reddy]


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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Alumni of City, University of London]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian transgender politicians]]
[[Category:Indian television journalists]]
[[Category:Indian television journalists]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian transgender women]]
[[Category:All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Indian transgender writers]]
[[Category:Transgender women]]
[[Category:Transgender writers]]
[[Category:Transgender politicians]]
[[Category:LGBT people from India]]
[[Category:Monash University alumni]]
[[Category:Monash University alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of City, University of London]]
[[Category:Transgender women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century LGBT people]]
[[Category:Transgender women politicians]]

Latest revision as of 05:58, 16 October 2025


Apsara Reddy (born Ajay Reddy) is an Indian trans woman politician and journalist.[1] She was earlier inducted as National Spokesperson of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) by former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in 2016.[2][3] On 8 January 2018, Reddy became the first transgender person to hold office in the Congress. She returned to the AIADMK and campaigned as its star campaigner in the 2021 State elections.[4]

Apsara Reddy
Personal details
BornMadras
Political partyAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (from April 2020)
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress (September 2018 to April 2020)
OccupationSenior Journalist/Politician/Social Activist
Official Spokesperson (National TV), AIADMK

(Current)

National General Secretary of All India Mahila Congress (2018-2020)

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Reddy has a BA degree in Journalism from Monash University and an MA in Broadcasting with a special focus on Developmental Economics from the City University in London. She was the Overseas Students Service's President at Monash University.[5]

Career[edit | edit source]

Reddy has worked with the BBC World Service, The Hindu,[3] Commonwealth Secretariat in London,[6] New Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle. She has written columns on topics including consumerism, politics, celebrity lifestyles and education. She has interviewed Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Ex PM Australia John Howard, F1 racer Michael Schumacher, AR Rahman, and Hollywood star Nicolas Cage. She has also covered the tsunami from Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.[7]

She has also worked at the Indian Consulate in Melbourne as a media adviser to the Consulate General, Dr. T.J. Rao.[8]

Reddy also worked briefly with UNICEF to launch a health campaign across Tamil Nadu.[citation needed]

Starting in 2013, she hosted a Tamil show Natpudan Apsara which aired on Thanthi TV.

She has also spoken at various high-profile platforms including the European Parliament Session in Madrid, The World Pride Summit, UNICEF and top institutions like Goldman Sachs, NASSCOM INDIA and even at Princeton University.

Politics[edit | edit source]

In May 2016, she joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(AIADMK).[9] Previously, she had joined Bharatiya Janata Party in February 2016.[10][11][12] In January 2019, she was appointed national general secretary of All India Mahila Congress by Rahul Gandhi, making her the first transgender person to be appointed as a general secretary of any political party in India.[13] In November 2020, she rejoined AIADMK ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election.[14][15]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ""எனக்கு நானே ஒரு கிஃப்ட்!" - அப்சரா ரெட்டி | அப்சரா ரெட்டி". www.vikatan.com/ (in தமிழ்). 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  2. "After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK". 20 November 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Apsara Reddy on how supportive the city has been to her". The Hindu. 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  4. "Apsara Reddy, Congress Party's First Transgender Office-Bearer, On Life, Love And Politics". HuffPost. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  5. Digital, Zimble (10 January 2019). "Meet Apsara Reddy, Congress's first transgender women's wing general secretary". Qrius. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  6. "Apsara Reddy Becomes First Transgender Office-bearer In Congress's History". FIFTY SHADES OF GAY. 9 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  7. "Congress appoints transgender activist Apsara Reddy as general secretary of its women wing". NewsX. 8 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  8. Kundu, Sreemoyee Piu (3 April 2016). "How society made Apsara regret wanting to be transgender". dailyO. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. "Chennai 360 – Chennaionline". chennaionline.com.
  10. "From lotus to two leaves in a jiffy". The Hindu. 11 May 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  11. Meet Apsara Reddy, latest sensational Politician from BJP
  12. Vasudevan, Shilpa (2 April 2016). "Third gender pitches for lead role in politics". The Times of India.
  13. "Congress appoints Apsara Reddy as the first transgender National General Secretary of AIMC". Newsd www.newsd.in. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  14. "After Khushbu Sundar, Apsara Reddy deserts Congress, to rejoin AIADMK". New Indian Express. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  15. "Apsara Reddy rejoins AIADMK". The Hindu. 21 November 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2024.