The quiet but definite trans revolution in Pakistan

The trans community is not only reclaiming its own rights but is also showing the rest of the nation how it’s done!

Shanzay Salman

Shanzay Salman

Features Editor

There is a long history of struggle that comes along with the transgender community of Pakistan, but of late there seems to be a quiet but definite trans revolution quickly gaining power and redefining what it means to be a transgender person in Pakistan. In doing so, the trans community is not only reclaiming its own rights but also seems to be showing the rest of the nation how it’s done!

In the latest instance, #BubbliMalik made history this Friday by becoming the first transgender woman to address the National Assembly. Wasting no time in making her presence felt, Bubbli requested the Speaker to address the session by using gender-inclusive terminology- denting regressive traditions in the most gentle and polite manner!

 

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Not much earlier, Pakistani film Joyland which features transgender actress Alina Khan in the lead role made history as the first feature from the country to win not one, but two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. The film received appreciation for placing trans women at the forefront for the first time ever.

 

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 After the film’s success Alina shared in an interview “My family always thought I would bring shame to them… Now, they are actually proud of my success and that makes me the happiest,” adding that she’s still brutally aware that they are a long way from being accepted.

And lastly, transgender activist and public health professional Dr Mehrub Moiz recently exposed a powerful and criminal gang-rape group known as ‘Beelas’, who have been around perpetrating organized crimes against the trans community since many years but had never been spoken out against.

Moiz also organized a powerful protest outside the Karachi Press Club where a large number of people from the transgender community and their supporters showed up , sharing the demands and needs of the community, and demonstrating trans power and solidarity!