Transsexual who feared prison at home qualifies for refugee status

[Butterfly]

Transsexual who feared prison at home qualifies for refugee status
The Australian
By Bernard Lane
03 March, 2010


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/transsexual-who-feared-prison-at-home-qualifies-for-refugee-status/story-e6frg6nf-1225836280527


A MALAYSIAN transsexual who feared prison, whipping and life as a prostitute if returned home has qualified for refugee status as a member of a persecuted social group.

The Refugee Review Tribunal emphasised her poverty, powerlessness and inability to get an identity card as a female, which would have allowed her to work.

The 38-year-old Hindu Malay was born male, had a sex-change operation in Thailand, returned to Malaysia with a female name, was arrested during a beauty pageant, came to Australia last year on a tourist visa and found work as a fruit-picker.

[FairyGirl]

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