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Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is one of the highest profile members of India's so-called 'third sex' community - a transgender section of Indian society also known as 'hijras'.

This flamboyant 31-year-old classes herself as neither man nor woman, despite being born male.

She makes a living running dance academies, but has also spoken at the United Nations and has addressed conferences around the world on the rights of Indian 'hijras'.

Now Laxmi is back in the headlines after being thrown out of the exclusive Bombay Gymkhana members' club, despite being an invited guest at a private party.

Laxmi believes that the incident shows that despite moves to improve the recognition of minority communities by Indian law, discrimination against 'hijras' is still widespread. The Club refused to comment on the matter.

Matthew Bannister spoke to Laxmi as she spent time in the gardens of another exclusive Mumbai club and asked her all about the challenges of living the 'hijra' life.