'It is my duty to raise my voice,' says Maria B after sharing prejudiced views on transgender rights

Maria B has once again attempted to “raise awareness” about apparent “vast distinctions” between the Khwajasira and Transgender community through her limited knowledge about either, via a video featuring her sisters.

In light of the alterations being made to the Transgender Persons Act, the designer presented her followers with her and her sisters’ personal take on existing laws, in spite of the backlash she received last month for celebrating trans activist Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan’s exclusion from a TEDxISL (International School Lahore) panel.

The designer had hailed ISL’s decision as one “for our kids,” while contesting Mehrub’s identity as a Khwajasira. She had suggested that the policy specialist and comedian was “a man transitioning into a woman in Pakistan,” and lamented about children being unaware of “the difference between genderless and trans community.”

Now, she has returned with her two cents on the “effects” the transgender persons’ protection law could supposedly have on families and the “actual Khwajasira community.” Needless to say, she has been receiving backlash for offering her unsought and limited knowledge about topics she is no expert on. But in her latest Instagram post, she has declared that she considers it her "duty" to raise her voice.

Terming the discussion, a “hot topic”, Maria with her sisters Najia and Aafia, shared on Saturday, “The first thing that one needs to do is to identify what transgender means. Who is the most famous transgender in the world? Everyone knows about Kim Kardashian and her father. He was her father first and then became her mother. His name is Caitlyn Jenner.”

She then inquired if the act approved by lawmakers in Pakistan was for people like Caitlyn who “alter” their gender identity. “No absolutely not, this act was made for the Khwajasira community. They are intersex people and there’s a massive difference between them and transgenders. On the act that represents the marginalised community, after 70 years when we’re doing something for them, and transgenders have usurped their rights,” Maria continued.

Her sister Najia argued that the act did not include the term Khwajasira and only spoke of Transgenders “because of which, the prior community is denied its rights.” She also suggested there were “noninvasive” tests like DNA, chromosome tests that could be conducted to determine whether someone was actually Khwajasira, transgender or cisgender.

Aafia contested that “Transgenders believe in gender fluidity and change their birth assigned gender during their life.” She went on to question the credibility of laws that apparently did not take into account religious teachings. “There is no reference of any Quranic verse or Hadith in the act,” she lamented.

However, Twitter is not having it. Especially since the Transgender community is struggling to stay alive, let alone benefit from rights granted to them by the laws of the country. “My God, what a brazen display of ignorance. The Pakistani elite truly are a cancer, and cannot think beyond their bubbles of bullshit. 'Transgender law hamain kaisay affect karay ga' just f*** ***,” wrote a user, rather harshly.

“The commentary is braindead (which it always is from Maria B) and the only thing worth mentioning is that... for the love of God, Bruce Jenner was Kim Kardashian's step-father, not father,” quipped another.

“So, Maria B has posted something about transgenders again?” inquired one more. “Why she has so much hate against them? I haven’t heard what she said but as per article I read, she needs help,” they added.

Popular social media personality Kazi Akber chimed in, “Just watched a video of Maria B speaking about the transgender act. I pray she stops commenting on subject matter that a) has nothing to do with her, b) is beyond her scope of expertise and c) most importantly could get someone hurt.”

Another asked, “Why is Maria B so obsessed with trans people and [who] she thinks real trans people are?”

In the caption of her latest Instagram post, the designer wrote in a subtle response to all the backlash, “This has been a motto all my life. When i was alone, facing the fashion mafia as a young woman, alone and divorced and a single mom, to now... when Allah has showered me with endless blessings. I consider it my duty to raise my voice, to never be afraid to speak up for truth, especially when it involves the Islamic way of life. May Allah protect our families in this world and the next.”

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