Transgender rights in Malaysia have been a contentious issue, with the country lagging behind in terms of protecting transgender individuals.
Korang nak tahu cerita tak?
— Leia (@hnnhxhrmn) July 1, 2023
January 2020 my friend and I went to KLCC and this friend of mine, a niqabi, wants to fix her inside scarf.
At the same time, I noticed this one Malay trans woman (quite famous on Twitter) was there will all her friends fixing their makeup, https://t.co/z30yNXu4Tr
Twitter user @hnnhxhrmn recently shared a story highlighting this struggle. When she and her friend, who wears a niqab, entered the restroom at KLCC, they encountered a group of transwomen occupying the mirror.
In Islam, aurah limitation still applies, despite you decided to change your gender. I politely asked her (that trans woman) if she was okay to exit the washroom just for a while, since my niqabi friend wanted to take off her tudung and inside scarf to fix her hair bun.
— Leia (@hnnhxhrmn) July 1, 2023
She asked them to leave so her friend could remove her niqab and maintain her modesty in accordance with Islamic laws.
Instead of leaving, she the (trans woman) said Eh you bodo ke, you sapa nak suruh I keluar? I was definitely taken aback with her tone bcs I asked her softly and full of politeness. I politely explained Dear I bukan nk biadap , member I nak fix-
— Leia (@hnnhxhrmn) July 1, 2023
However, the encounter turned confrontational, leading to a disagreement. @hnnhxhrmn's intention was to ensure her friend's comfort and adherence to religious beliefs.
The Twitter thread concluded with the user questioning the boundaries that should be respected when it comes to transgender individuals.
The series of tweets sparked a wave of reactions from netizens, generating heated discussions from various perspectives.
On one side, many applauded @hnnhxhrmn for advocating for her friend's well-being and criticizing the transwoman's alleged rudeness.
Supporters argued that her actions were about one woman protecting another woman's right to use the restroom in a safe and comfortable manner.
However, defenders of the transwoman emerged, accusing @hnnhxhrmn of transphobia despite her stated intentions.
Some netizens emphasized that transgender individuals also have the right to safely use public restrooms and should not be asked to leave entirely.
Highlighting the user's reference to "aurat" protection, others questioned whether she would have treated non-Muslims in the same manner.
The debate surrounding this incident raises crucial questions about transgender rights, cultural sensitivities, and individual boundaries.
Where do you stand on this matter? Do you align with the Twitter user's perspective or advocate for the rights of the transgender individual?
The discussion continues, shedding light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the importance of fostering understanding and acceptance in society.
