Equal Benefits for Transpeople...in Pakistan.

[nikolche]

Well this is unexpected.The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on Tuesday that "transvestites" (their word) are equal citizens and therefore are allowed the same benefits as everyone else. In this case transvestite is used to mean anyone from people with intersex conditions to effeminate men

Comments

[a_tergo_lupi]

How interesting.

[tko_ak]

Interesting.

It seems like some Muslim countries are surprisingly progressive on trans issues. Iran, as well. I think it's because a sex change operation (or at least living as the opposite gender) is more appropriate than homosexuality. Which strikes me as odd, but it's a different culture for you.

[nikolche]

That's the basic idea. I'm always a bit hesitant to celebrate trans victories in strict Muslim countries simply because they're often tied in with a loss for gay rights (particularly when it comes to gay men). Iran is a perfect example, they have relatively good trans rights, but they also essentially force gay men to transition even if they're perfectly comfortable with their gender identity.

Now, if this ruling *does* include effeminate men/butch women (...somehow I doubt that one) as well as actual trans* people then that's great. I'm not fully convinced it does though.