During Covid-19 Pandemic where the situation around the world is crucial, the situation in our country is getting more acute and more detrimental. Here people are facing isolation for a few days, but there is a population in this country that has always lived in isolation being marginalized and defenseless. The population I am talking about is the mistreated, tortured, abused class of our country, who hardly receives any love and respect from family and society. I am here addressing on behalf of the transgender community of Pakistan.
Where people are getting paranoid about being in their own homes and living with their families, and our government is also facing issues while maintaining the lockdown, the transgender community is spending these days in high concerns, like how to manage food to eat, house rents and utilities? And in such a crucial situation if any transgender falls ill or gets injured where will they go, as the health sector of our country doesn’t pay any attention to gender minorities even if we go to private hospitals or clinics because they are highly discriminated against in the health facilities?
We want to raise a question that during normal days no one hears the gender diverse community, so in circumstances like lockdown, to whom do we approach for help? Our high officials have always shown ignorance and insensitivity towards us.
We being transgenders have always been facing decisive situations in every single step in our lives. We always prefer to have a sustainable life even if society rejects us to accept it. After facing violence and harassment and other incidents we go through, we know how to put a smile on our faces. We build a box around our grief and distress but never mourn about it to anyone.
Today where the whole country is facing a crucial situation, this is the right moment where people should be motivated to help the transgender community living around them and to build an understanding of people about the lifetime isolation and marginalization of our people. We being a nation can fight through this hard time together, and make sure that even after the pandemic situation ends, we will show solidarity, respect, and equity towards all especially gender diverse communities.
Written by: Saadi Muhammad, a trans activist, and a lead changemakers advocate.
