Discrimination and violence against the transgender community in our society is something not many feel comfortable discussing out in the public. The transgender community has been the sufferer of oppression and has been subjected to violence, sexual harassment, and rape. Being part of the minority, people have mistaken them as a curse and because of that, their battles still continue…

Just recently, Julie Khan, a transgender, was stopped from entering Serena Hotel, Islamabad, where she was going to attend a meeting with Uzma Yaqoob. Julie faced severe harassment where she was asked by security officials, “What are you doing here? Come here and tell us now, Khusray also go to Serena?” at the hotels’s check-post. Another police officer shamelessly asked her what is inside her clothes and whether her body is of a males’s or female’s.

Extremely shameful!

Here’s what exactly happened:

Dear All I Need Your Attention Please! 
Yesterday me and Julie Khan went for a meeting to Serena Hotels, Islamabad, for a meeting. we both were coming from two different locations, Julie was coming from FDI office and I was coming from some other meeting. We both were in different cab Julie reached to Serena first security check post before I could reached there she was told that taxi is not allowed so she came out and wanted to walk to Serena gate, she was stopped by the police and she was asked “what are you doing here?? come here and tell us now Khusray also go to Serena?? One policeman asked her what is inside her cloths? her body is male or female? Julie felt harassed and she called me up and told this situation I said give this phone to security person I will explain him, I talked to him introduce myself and told him that Julie works with an organization and she is here for a meeting. the police man said “madam khusray are not allowed in this area this is red zone” and put down the phone. Meanwhile I reached to the check post and I asked Julie to get in the car and again police stopped us and said madam this car can’t go, I asked why?? he said this khusra has to get out of the car. I told him its not Khusra she has a name and be respectful to her. But her did not listen to us and asked to leave, we taken the U-Turn and came back to same check post and asked for access he stopped us again and this time he said we can’t allow you coz this is red zone either you go alone or you go back, I refused and we drove back the same road and came to same check post, meanwhile I called the SHO of the area as my office is in same area and we have access to local police station and I explained SHO about the entire situation he apologized and asked my car registration number and said “Madam you kindly go this time they will not stop you” so finally after 45 minutes we could enter to Serena

The next surprise was ready at Serena entry scanner, me Julie and our host all entered there with few seconds of time difference and the security person there could not judge If we all are together, he let our host go and then it was Julie turn on the scanner and they stopped her and said “what are you doing here” meanwhile I joined and said she is with me and the security person asked me “does she has some dance performance here” I replied yes we both have dance performance do you have money to entertain yourself?????

We will register written complains to all relevant authorities for sure but how disgusting it is that Julie is not allowed just because she is a transgender person, her sanity and dignity is challenged and I my dignity is challenged and labeled as “SLUT” because I am seen with transgender persons???

This is truly heartbreaking and despite the laws protecting the rights of the transgender community, no implementation of these laws have been seen. Take the above-mentioned incident for an example and many others that have happened in the past. Where are the laws?!

As Pakistanis, we fail to realize that they’re humans as well and just like every other human being, they too deserve the right of education, respect, acceptance in society, job opportunities and the freedom to do whatever they wish as a normal human being. We need to stop this discrimination so they can start living in peace in our society; without any insecurities.