“He will dance and clap now!” On signals we may see them. On bus stations, railway stations, cinemas and other public places we may see them begging and dancing. They were no one else then human being. Yes they are transgender. Someone who had no biological gender as male or female but they are human beings. They are from our own specie having equal rights to live and exist.
Sex is determined when an X chromosome from an egg finds itself in a nucleus with an X or a Y from a sperm (sex determination). XX=female; XY=male. X and Y chromosomes that make us female or male. Transgender is an inadequately comprehended condition identified with sexual character. A transgendered individual has the phenotype and sex chromosomes of one sex, however recognizes to a great degree firmly with the contrary sex. Transgender usually have 46 chromosomes, 23 pairs same as everyone else.
Trans people who have Down syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome have a single extra chromosome (so a total of 47); Trans people who have Turner syndrome have one missing for a total of 45. But mostly they have normal 46 chromosomes as everyone else of their species. They have same structure and same mental condition as all of us. Same body structure as two eyes, two ears, two arms and two legs with a brain and heart.
A transgender woman lives as a woman today, but she was considered to be male when she was born. A transgender man lives as a man today, but he was considered to be female when he was born. Some transgender people identify as neither male nor female, or as a combination of male and female.
Transgender people should be treated with the same respect and dignity as anyone else and be able to live, and be respected, according to their gender identity. But transgender people often face serious discrimination and mistreatment at work, at public places, in school, and in their families and communities.
As a society we don’t accept them as a human being. In most of the cases they suffer from harassment and other abuse considering that they will not be affected. They are mostly fired from jobs, bully at school and at work places, mostly become homeless, live in extreme poverty, face abuse, brutality and violence. Mostly they have not equal citizens’ rights.
They are equally intelligent. Here are some of the cases in which some transgender are also serving in different fields.
Rifee Khan, a Trans woman and advocate for transgender rights in Sindh shares her experience as:
“It was not easy going to school. I was treated harshly; I had to dress like a boy and was not allowed to sit with girls. Teachers used to ask me to sing and dance to entertain the class, as if that is what a transgender person was supposed to do.” (Dawn News)
In most of the cases people argue that mostly parents don’t accept their children who are transgender but Rifee Khan amazed us by her words.
“My parents tried their best to educate me, but I am not even able to send them money. I feel ashamed. The government has failed me and my community.” (Dawn News)
That depicts that we failed as a society. Sorry to we are still living in a tribal society with Stone Age culture where human beings have no place. These people are considered as the useless gender. Transgender are considered as the disgusting people in Pakistani society. No matter how much activists come forward, no matter how much voice they raise. No matter they are also Human Beings.
A resident of Karachi, Sarah, 23, is going to be the first transgender to become a medical doctor in Pakistan’s history. “Our community enjoyed tremendous respect in Islam as well as in the history of Muslim rulers,” said Sarah. “It was only after when the British came to this continent that we were declared criminals by law and since then, our community is constantly facing inhuman discrimination and have become a symbol of shame.” (Education News)
Sarah, a soft spoken person with a strong opinion. She regretted that the law made by British was still part of Pakistan’s constitution. “I am sure that I will be kicked out of college if I do that. Due to same discrimination and social pressure, majority of transgender tend to hide their identity and live like men throughout their lives,” (Education News)
Aisha Mughal First Transgender University Lecturer has happened for the very first time in the history of Pakistan that government has officially appointed a transgender as a teacher. Aisha has been appointed as the lecturer of the Department of Gender in Quaid-i-Azam University. (The News)
People think that transgender are nothing more than sex workers; Pakistan’s transgender people are often forced into dancing, begging and even prostitution to make their both ends meet. Life of a Pakistani transgender is lonely. They have no identity and spend an anonymous life.
These are only few of the conditions which these people face. They face sexual, mental and emotional abuse as well. No one is there to lessen their pain. At least we can help not to give them pain. Living without fear of discrimination and violence and being supported and affirmed in being who they are is critical for allowing transgender people to live healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives. In the past few years, laws, policies and attitudes around the country have changed prominently, allowing more transgender people than ever to live fuller, safer, proper and healthier lives.
The Supreme Court has designated transgender people as a third gender, but in practice, Kamran Arif, vice president of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said “Transgender people bear the brunt of some of the worst discrimination. They are sexually abused, assaulted and even murdered.” (Dawn News)
