5 Key Ways to Combat Transphobia in Asia

It’s always been the same.

Minorities of any type, form or shape have always, sadly, been persecuted, marginalized or ostracized throughout the history of mankind.

Simply on the basis of skin color, language, creed or, in the case of T people about their gender presentation, humans have been extremely adept at excluding or belittling other humans.

Is it fear of the unknown or of not being prepared to try to understand something or someone “different”? Or is it the result of blindly following of dogma that was promulgated centuries ago… well, I‘m not really sure.  Still, it never ceases to amaze me that, here in the 21^st century there are still entities or organizations who preach love, compassion and understanding to all others — without actually practicing these virtues themselves!

When we look closely at the situation of T people throughout Asia, often perceived to be more tolerant and understanding than other world regions, whilst, undoubtedly, some progress has been made over the last, say, 10 years, with laws against discrimination based on gender in place in certain countries, there is still an awful long way to go to cast off the burden of prejudice and “win” the fight against blatant Transphobia.

With conservative populations in most Asian countries, rigid governments and powerful religious organizations, there is unfortunately a lot of “lip service” being paid in respect of T rights and, despite all of the positives emanating from, say, the U.S. about our T cousins and sisters, the road ahead is likely to be tedious and highly fraught.

So, what can else be done to combat some of these impediments to T people living their lives free and clear of such challenges?

Well, actually, there are plenty of things which might be done… and my own 5 top suggestions are as follows (although many of them ended up being questions.):

• Better education: most of the general populations simply don’t know enough about T people. They grasp what gay people are all about but Ts? Who, why what?

Whilst this puzzlement might be understandable to some extent as there are so many “shades” of T, somehow our educators and teachers have to “grasp the nettle” as it were and start to pro-actively effectively encourage non-discriminatory practices and tolerant behavior to all people children at an early age — and not just about T rights, I might add.

Given that young children are at the least prejudicial of all stages of the human life-cycle, one has to wonder at what point in their lives the influences of parents or preachers start to color children’s views against T and other people?

Maybe a more focussed effort on enlightening parents and religious organizations should be primary targets for improved education and alleviating doubts and worries people have about T issues?

• Better showcase the talents of T people: and I don’t just mean the amazing Ladyboy cabaret stars in Thailand who dazzle their show audiences nightly.

What about all of those T people in other walks of life: business people, doctors, dentists or scientists and so on who also belong to the T community in our region and contribute with their skills to society generally?

Again, unlike in the “west” where T’s in many other walks of life are becoming more and more visible, not all such T people in Asia want to make a big issue about their situation — yet there seems to be an opportunity to reinforce the fact that there are many people in the broader community who do business with or depend, often for their lives, on these T professionals.

So, isn’t it about time we saw more T people in the professions and business people be more prepared to show off their talents and make people aware of their contributions to society as a whole?

• Positive engagement by well known individuals: (slightly different to the above point) amongst the various, famous singers and cabaret stars in Asia, whilst some attend events or make some effort to promote the T cause, it may be that they could be doing more.

Having said this, I must say, though, I do believe that anyone standing up and showing their true gender is very brave, especially in the business world in Asia where livelihoods are determined as much by whom you know and how you look, as by your abilities.

Yet, it would be nice if we could encourage some of the better known celebrities and T business people to be amongst the leaders — so, who best can help rally or cajole some key, T figures to come out in greater support of the movement for T rights?

• More positive non-discriminatory action by employers and Governments: undoubtedly this has started to happen and the last 4-5 years have been a revelation in Asia with a variety of entities carrying the “fight” for acceptance and diversity in the workplace throughout the region — although mainly for gay people I must add with, as usual, T people “tagging along.”

Advocating diversity, inclusivity and promoting equality for all in a work environment, organizations such as Community Business from Hong Kong have been in the fore and major support and sponsorships have been obtained from, amongst others, international banks and investment companies.

Sad to say, however, there is a conspicuous absence of home grown local companies getting involved in such programs, sponsorships or support for events such as Pink Dot or IDAHOT.

Asia has some of the best, most efficient companies in the world. Maybe someone can help ask some of the powerful local companies to set aside their prejudices and try move with the (modern) times?

• Us, ie you and me: Why not take a moment to pause, to reflect and ask yourself: “What am I doing to help combat Transphobia in Asia (or wherever you live)?”

I do appreciate that we in Asia are not living in the liberal U.S.A. or one of the more progressive western countries, but there comes a point in all of our lives when we simply can’t say, “Well, yes, progress is being made in the advancement of T rights, so great! “So and so” is on the cover of this magazine, and “so and so” did an interview on national TV, things are really looking up.”

In fact, what we should be asking: “Realistically, what can we be doing to help reduce discrimination, improve understanding and tolerance and acceptance of T people?”

After all there seem to be more and more of us about these days —so help overtly or covertly, it doesn’t really matter…, help is help!

You never know, we might be the (few) people who make that difference to us all! 

I can but dream, right?

Tags: asia, featured, opinion, Thailand, Transgender

Category: Transgender Opinion