Harassed, Intimidated, Abused: But Now Pakistan’s Hijra Transgender Minority Finds Its Voice

“An unlikely revolution is stirring among Pakistan’s transgender community. Over the past six months the supreme court has issued a series of ground-breaking judgments in favour of hijras, who have long lived under a cloud of disapprobation and discrimination.

“Spurred by the forceful chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was restored after countrywide protests last year, normally moribund authorities have been ordered to ensure hijras enjoy the same rights as other Pakistanis, in matters of inheritance, employment and election registration.

“Police have been warned to cease harassment and intimidation. Pakistan’s national database and registration authority, which issues ID cards, has been told to research a third option under the ’sex’ column.

“‘Times are changing,’ said Almas Bobby, leader of one of the largest group of hijras in Rawalpindi. ‘Our community feels good for the first time in 60 years.’

“The changes have triggered a heady sense of possibility.

“In October hijras in the southern city of Sukkur fielded the country’s first hijras cricket team. After winning their inaugural match, the captain thanked the chief justice.

“The exuberance is spreading. Earlier this month about 100 hijras from across Punjab crammed into a tented rooftop area for a raucous dance party.

“Showers of rose petals filled the air as hijras of all ages, draped in sequined dresses and bedecked in costume jewellery, danced into the small hours – whirling and swinging their hips in the manner of Bollywood movie stars.”

Read the entire article here including an audio slideshow. And here is an earlier article regarding registration of a “third sex” in Pakistan. It’s interesting how trans people are valued in different cultures.  However, the article refers to hijras as transgender men when I think its correct to call them transgender women.