When 23 trangender persons bagged employment with the Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the move was seen as a game changer. They were placed in different departments including housekeeping, crowd management, ticketing and customer relations. The aim was to offer a dignified livelihood and bring them into the mainstream. They were excited and hoped that their new identities would help change people's perception and the way they are treated. However, their happiness was short-lived.