“I have decided to live my life happily and this picture captures perfectly how I feel about the woman that I am today,” proclaims Harnaam Kaur. Calling herself ‘the bearded dame’, she is proudly challenging societal norms of beauty. She is living life on her terms.
Growing up with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the 24-year-old British born woman suffers from hormonal imbalance that leads to her body sprouting excessive facial hair.
“I hated my body so I punished it. I hated everything about myself and the way that I looked. For years I was made to feel like a guy because of my facial hair, I hated my body because I was overweight. I never wore make up because I wanted to look as much like a guy as I could.”
It was at the age at 16 that Harnaam finally decided to ditch the societal norms and celebrate her beauty, the way she wanted it. “I was bullied horribly; I will never forget how it made me feel and what it made me do.” She adds, “I may never forget those horrific years, but I can surely empower myself to move on with my head held high and help others do the same. So can you”.
This body-confidence and anti-bullying activist was in the news recently because of her photo shoot for Urban Bridesmaid, a wedding website. When British photographer Louisa Coulthurst saw pictures of Harnaam, she decided to do a unique photo feature with her, bringing out the person that she is.
“I decided to keep my beard and step forward against society’s expectations of what a woman should look like. Today I am not suicidal and I do not self harm. Today I am happy living as a young, beautiful bearded woman. I have realised that this body is mine, I own it. I do not have any other body to live in so I may as well love it unconditionally.”
Take a look at her pictures and be sure to go back to her Instagram page and send out a cheer for this body positive hero.
Image courtesy: Rock N Roll Bride
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