The beauty and make-up industry employs large numbers of LGBTQ+ workers. But, there is widespread discrimination and bias prevalent against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenders, Queer and the allied community. Essille Heisman, a 28-year-old entrepreneur has had first-person experiences of witnessing the exploitation and other social challenges faced by the community. So, she decided to do something about it through her personal efforts and her enterprise in Imphal, Manipur.
In June 2020, Essille joined the Indo-German Her&Now Entrepreneurship Support Programme, which enabled her to set-up her own studio ‘The Artist in You: A Gender-Free Paradise’ and launch it officially in December 2020. ‘Her&Now-Empowering Women Entrepreneurs’ is a pan-India project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and in partnership with the Government of India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). In the North-East Region, the project is running in partnership with ‘Dhriiti-The Courage Within’.
Essille’s make-up studio promotes inclusivity of all individuals irrespective of gender barriers and other social norms. Essille is focusing on empowering the lesser privileged and/or marginalized people from LGBTQ+ community in Manipur by imparting skills and knowledge in the beauty and make-up domain through her studio. Among key services provided by ‘The Artist in You: A Gender-Free Paradise’ are: Bridal Makeup Package with Wedding Attire, Party Makeup and Makeovers.