Red Lipstick: The Men in My Life

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi reflects on the men who have entered different stages of her life—those who influenced, supported, loved, exploited or challenged her. The narrative traces her early questions about gender and attraction and her gradual understanding of herself as Laxmi and as a member of the hijra community.

Direct, personal and often provocative, the memoir offers insight into relationships and sexuality while also providing a window into experiences that are frequently misunderstood or marginalized.

The memoir follows Laxmi's journey from childhood, when she struggled to understand why she felt different from the expectations surrounding her, to her recognition of her identity and eventual emergence as a prominent transgender activist.

At the heart of the book are the men Laxmi encountered throughout her life. She recounts relationships marked by attraction, affection, power, support and abuse, using these experiences to reflect on love, sexuality, identity and vulnerability. The result is a deeply personal account that challenges conventional ideas about gender and relationships while presenting Laxmi's life with openness and confidence.