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.

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.

Quote from: the articleDenouncing 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.

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.