From Shubhra to Noor-Alom: My Journey of Resilience and Empowerment
Noor Alom
Hello, my name is Noor Alom. I am an intersex individual and I was born as Shubhra. Today, I want to share my journey from Shubhra to Noor Alom, a story of resilience, transformation, and hope.
I was born into a noble Muslim family in Savar, a bustling city near Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. From the very beginning, my life was marked by neglect and misunderstanding from both my family and society. My birth was not celebrated; instead, it was met with confusion and dismay because I was not distinctly identified as either a boy or a girl. This ambiguity led to a childhood filled with pain and a quest for a clear gender identity.
In the first six years of my life, I underwent six surgeries as my family and doctors tried to assign me a gender. After the first four surgeries, the doctors decided I was a girl, and my family began raising me as one. Two years later, after two more surgeries, the doctors reversed their decision, declaring I was a boy. Thus, the first nine years of my life were a tumultuous journey of medical interventions and shifting identities.
On the advice of doctors and a local cleric, I was renamed Noor Alom and enrolled in a boys’ school. However, adolescence brought more challenges. As I developed breasts, I faced severe bullying and was eventually expelled from school. The harsh words and relentless bullying from my peers and the wider community forced me to end my formal education prematurely.
Even within my own family, I was hidden and treated with shame. My family kept my existence a secret, so much so that my aunt only discovered I existed 19 years after her marriage. The stigma of my intersex identity even affected my siblings’ marital prospects, leading to multiple broken engagements.
Despite the endless contempt and humiliation from my family and society, I refused to give up. I had an indomitable spirit and vowed to stand on my own feet and contribute positively to society. Today, I am a successful entrepreneur. I run a thriving food cart near the Savar police station, where I sell delicious food daily.
But my journey didn’t end with personal success. I wanted to ensure that others like me wouldn’t have to endure the same struggles alone. I founded an organisation called ‘Intersex Bangladesh’, dedicated to advocating for the rights and health of intersex individuals. Intersex Bangladesh works tirelessly for the skill development and training of intersex people, empowering them to lead dignified and independent lives.
Through ‘Intersex Bangladesh’, we are creating a community where intersex individuals are respected, understood, and supported. We provide essential services, education, and training, helping intersex people build their skills and achieve their dreams.
My story is one of resilience and hope. From the neglect and pain of my early years, I have emerged stronger and more determined to make a difference. I am Noor Alom, and I am here to tell you that no matter how difficult the journey, it is possible to rise above the challenges and create a better future for ourselves and others. Let us stand together, support each other, and work towards a society where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, is respected and valued.