Pakistan Recognizes Transgengers

[Shana A]

Published: October 06,2009
Pakistan Recognizes Transgenders

By By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, Womens Feature Service

http://newsblaze.com/story/20091006095020iwfs.nb/topstory.html

"In their greed to gain our votes the politicians are now willing to listen to our demands," said Sapna, 24, a transgender, dressed in a fitted printed woman's shalwar kameez (Pakistani dress) with a scarf slung around her neck. Her freshly shaved and slightly made-up face barely hid the telltale stubble.

Hailing the Pakistan Supreme Court's (SC) landmark ruling in July, that gives transgenders citizenship rights, Sapna said it was a step long in coming but one that is in the right direction.

[Allamakee]

I'm puzzled why this population would pick a term for themselves which places them as neither male nor female.  It seems that many, if not most, want to be treated as women.

Denouncing the term 'hijras', often used to describe them, Sapna said the accepted word now was "moorat" - someone who is neither a male nor a female. Interestingly, though, she referred to herself in the feminine gender in the course of our meeting.

[chrysalis]

While that certainly is a positive step, it comes under the auspice of something far more dire. I would only look at any help from those politicians as short term gains.