Meet the All-Trans Men Football Team From India

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Available Summary:

"In 2020, 15 young people from the North-Eastern Indian state of Manipur created history. They became the country's first all-transgender men’s football team. This team, called the Ya_All FC, defied the binary in sport. But their journey to recognition hasn't been without challenges. Therefore, in this episode of The Rainbow Guide To Life, VICE World News attended the 4th edition of Queer Games North East 2021. The team played in this event, and along with host Susan Khwairakpam, a former footballer and member of Ya_All FC, VICE World News caught up with players and the founder of Ya_All, the driving force behind this team, to figure out why inclusion in sports is so crucial to some members of the transgender community and how it helps them in building their lives." -YouTube.

Jack's Summary:

I was very glad to find this short documentary, because it focusses on an extremely underrepresented group; Indian trans men. Further, Ya_All FC is the country's first all-FTM football/soccer team, and it's wonderful to see that kind of pioneering effort in any country, especially if that country has restrictive laws which affect trans men.

Wahengbam Chaoba, the Captain of the team, speaks about his personal gender journey, including being raised by a father who was supportive of his male identity. He starts crying when discussing his mother's reservations towards his transition, proving how important parental support is, and how crucial FTM-exclusive spaces can be for young trans men without adequate support. When the interviewer asks if Chaoba has found a family in the team, he immediately agrees. "I have found a place to share my story," he elaborates.

The founder of the team, a gay man who was motivated by his own isolation and struggles with substance abuse, established a space for trans men after noticing that FTMs were being left behind while trans female visibility was bolstered by HIV awareness movements. The purpose of the team goes beyond simply playing football, with the main goals being equity and social justice. I loved hearing that a primary goal was to turn young trans men into the next generation of leaders.