Tag: transgender

  • Rabia Anum schools Iman Aly for using ‘khusra’ as a demeaning word

    Rabia Anum schools Iman Aly for using ‘khusra’ as a demeaning word

    Television host Rabia Anum has schooled actress Iman aly for using ‘Khusra’ as a demeaning word on Vasay Chaudhary’s show.

    Read more – Four leading ladies who got real about their beauty insecurities

    “Koi aisay stupid actors ka moo band karwado yaar,” said Rabia while addressing Iman’s statement on her Instagram stories.

    She further said: “Every other day some new level stupidity. Iman Aly now thinks ‘Khusra’ is okay to use as a demeaning word and these people are paid to be in these shows.”

    Iman in her recent interview with Vasay Chaudhary opened up about the insecurities she has about her physical appearance.

    “A lot of people tell me I’m beautiful, but when I look at myself in the mirror, I think all these people are lying,” said Iman.

    “When people tell me you like your face and you just lie in front of us, it’s not so,” she added.

    She continued “I don’t even take pictures because of my face because I don’t like any picture and that’s why I post very few pictures of myself on social media.”

    The actress referred herself as a transgender, which lead Rabia to criticize Iman for using the term of transgender with a derogatory connotation.

  • Punjab govt to give monthly stipend to transgender persons

    Punjab govt to give monthly stipend to transgender persons

    The Punjab government has decided to pay a monthly stipend to transgender persons under a new programme by its social protection authority.

    As per reports, this was announced by Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan while talking to the media with Punjab Social Protection Authority Vice Chairperson Jamal Nasir Cheema in Lahore.

    Transgender people are a part of society and will be given a monthly stipend, she said.

    Dr Firdous said that the ‘Ehsaas Punjab Masawaat Programme’ was a unique programme under which transgender people were being facilitated.

    Read More: Pakistan’s first transgender-only madrasa breaking barriers

    She told that under this programme, disabled transgender persons between the age of 18 and 40 were giving Rs2,000 per month, while transgender persons above 40 years were paid with Rs3,000 per month.

    She said that the government is prioritising the less privileged section of society in all its projects.

    She said that CM Usman Buzdar announced a package of Rs9 billion in Bhakkar and brought the people of Bhakkar in the mainstream of development.

  • Pakistan’s first transgender-only madrasa breaking barriers

    One Rani Khan has set up the first transgender-only madrasa with her life savings.

    Transgender people have faced discrimination in formal education system, although there is no official restriction on them attending schools or offering prayers in mosques.

    “Families do not accept transgender people. They throw them out of their homes. Transgenders turn to wrongdoing. At one time, I was also one of them,” said Khan.

    Rani Khan was disowned by her family at the age of 13 and forced into begging. She joined a transgender group at the age of 17. She earned living by dancing at weddings and other events.

    However, she quit this work when a deceased fellow transgender persuaded her to do something for the community in a dream.

    Khan studied Quran at home and attended religious schools before opening the two-room madrasa in October.

    “I am teaching the Quran to please God, to make my life here and in the hereafter.”

    She further said that the school did not receive aid from the government, although some officials promised to help students find jobs.

    With the help of some donations, Rina is teaching her students how to sew and embroider in hopes of raising funds for the school by selling clothes.

    Pakistan’s parliament recognised the third gender in 2018, giving such individuals fundamental rights such as the ability to vote and choose their gender on official documents.

    Nonetheless, the transgender community remains on the margins in the country and often has to resort to begging, dancing and prostitution to make a living.

    Pakistan’s 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people, though trans rights groups say the number could now be well over 300,000 in the country of 220 million.

  • ‘The Umbrella Academy’ star Elliot Page comes out as transgender

    ‘The Umbrella Academy’ star Elliot Page comes out as transgender

    Oscar-nominated star of Juno and The Umbrella Academy, known as Ellen Page, has come out as transgender, introducing himself as Elliot Page on Tuesday in social media posts that voiced joy at sharing the news — but also fear over a possible backlash.

    In a landmark move for a top Hollywood actor, the actor thanked supporters in the trans community for helping him on his journey to “finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.”

    “I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer,” wrote the Canadian-born.

    His statement identifying as trans won swift praise across Hollywood and beyond, with LGBTQ charity GLAAD calling Page “remarkable” and “an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people.”

    Netflix tweeted: “So proud of our superhero! We love you Elliot!”

    Page, 33, burst onto the Hollywood scene with an Oscar-nominated role as a pregnant teenager in 2007 sleeper hit Juno.

    The actor also appeared in the 2010 science fiction hit Inception opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, and the 2012 Woody Allen comedy To Rome with Love.

    Page came out as gay in 2014, quickly become a flagbearer for Hollywood’s LGBTQ community, and married dancer Emma Portner in 2018. While largely absent from big-budget Hollywood blockbusters since 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, Page has repeatedly shrugged off suggestions of being typecast or shunned by Tinseltown.

    “The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now… I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence,” wrote Page. “To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”

  • Protection centres for transgenders to be completed by end of the year

    Protection centres for transgenders to be completed by end of the year

    Protection centres for Pakistan’s transgender community will reportedly be finalised by the end of this year, the National Assembly was informed during a discussion on the harassment of the community across the country.

    Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Lal Chand Malhi said this was a devolved subject and three incidents of violence against the transgender community have been reported in the federal capital alone in the last three years.

    He said these were murder cases and “arrests have been made and strict action has been taken against the culprits, as all are equal citizens”.

    But PTI lawmaker Asma Qadeer said that nine cases have been reported in nine months expressing conflict about the figures. However, she did not mention the city.

    “Transgender people who demand alms at traffic signals are not only harassed by the general public but also by the beggar mafia. You are saying that transgender people have equal rights, but the fact is that they are not allowed to be buried in the graveyards of the general public, they are denied admission in hospitals, etc,” she said.

    Another ruling party lawmaker, Zille Huma said that movements must be run in the media and on social media for the protection of transgender people, adding that seats should also be allocated for transgender people in vocational institutes.

    As per reports, Pakistan’s transgender population is currently 10,400.

    The National Assembly had passed the landmark Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill in 2017, which enables trans people to be recognised as they perceive themselves and register with the government institutions as transgenders. It also gives them basic rights such as having driver’s licenses and passports.

  • In a first, Rawalpindi police recruit a transgender officer

    In a first, Rawalpindi police recruit a transgender officer

    For the first time in their history, the Rawalpindi police have recruited a transgender as a police officer in their squad.

    According to details, Reem Sharif, a prominent transgender rights activist in Islamabad will now join the police department as a police officer.

    Reem proved that she has all the skills required to become a 14-grade police officer and will now be deployed in Rawalpindi’s women police force. She is expected to begin her duties soon.

    Speaking on her appointment, Sharif said, “I am delighted to be in this position. Through this, I will have the option to deal with some of the most pressing issues faced by my transgender community.”

    “I knew I needed to live my life and be true to who I was. I need to be honest with myself, and that was coming out as a transgender woman”, she added.

    Reem further said, “I don’t consider this position as a career ladder but as a milestone for representing my community. My presence will make it comfortable for the transgender community”.

    Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police station, with the purpose to provide justice to the trans community, who face constant abuse from society, has also made a special desk to provide them with equal rights.

  • PM Imran distributes health cards to transgender community

    PM Imran distributes health cards to transgender community

    Prime Minister Imran Khan distributed Sehat Insaf card among the transgender community in an attempt to include them in this project.

    According to reports, a ceremony was held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad to present the cards to the members of the transgender community.

    Scheme offers the free treatment for angioplasty, brain surgery, cancer and other diseases. The data has been taken from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    While addressing to the community, PM Imran said, ” The purpose of this initiative is to tell you that our government is embracing you”

    At least 15 million people will benefit from this policy. The card holders could receive medical facilities up to Rs 720,000. The medical facilities would be available in more than 150 private and government hospitals.

    The transgender community members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had also got their health cards in May to end discrimination.