Malaysian transsexuals challenge cross-dressing law

[Shana A]

Updated: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:07:14 GMT | By Agence France-Presse
Malaysian transsexuals challenge cross-dressing law
Four transsexuals are challenging an Islamic law that bars men from dressing or behaving as women in Muslim-majority Malaysia, saying it is unconstitutional.

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/regional/malaysian-transsexuals-challenge-cross-dressing-law-1

The landmark case was heard Thursday at the Seremban high court, just south of Kuala Lumpur, where the four claimed the Sharia law of the state of Negeri Sembilan infringed on their rights enshrined in the federal constitution.

Homosexuality and transsexual lifestyles remain taboo and are considered a social and moral ill by many in Malaysia, where sodomy is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Aston Paiva, lawyer for the four, told AFP Friday the constitution protects "the right to live in dignity and not be punished for what you are born as, including race and gender."

[Shana A]

Saturday, September 01, 2012
Malaysian Trans Women Challenge Discriminatory Law
Posted by Monica Roberts at 12:00 AM

http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2012/09/malaysian-trans-women-challenge.html

There are some places on this planet in which it's hell to be trans to paraphrase the late Houston crusading consumer rights reporter Marvin Zindler, and Malaysia is one of those countries.

The nation of 28 million people is 60% Muslim, and Malaysia's Muslims are subject to both criminal and  Islamic laws. 

One of the problems for our estimated 20,000 trans sisters living there is that ever since a 1983 anti-trans fatwa was issued there banning gender reassignment surgery and cross-dressing, there has been increasing hostility, discrimination and intolerance aimed at Malaysian Muslims living their transsexual lives.

The end result of that faith based intolerance is being trans in this country is an act of moral courage and intestinal fortitude.  Interestingly enough the Malaysian federal constitution states that "no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty", bars discrimination on the grounds "of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender" and protects freedom of expression.