Dire Situation For Transsexuals In Kuwait (Disturbing Video)

[AllanahStarrNYC]

I just recieved this from my MySpace friend Miriam in Kuwait explaining to me what they are now doing to transgendered people in Kuwait.

PLEASE rad the blog she posted and take a look at her MySpace, and if you like send her a message.

I am sure that she could aplly for political assylum elsewhere because of her situation- so if anyone knows anything about that, I think you would be very kind to contact her.

Miriam's MySpace

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=151056607

In her own words:


"To all the people with hearts , to all the people with feelings , to all the people who think we should all be treated alike to all the people who oppose torture and to every single person in the world who thinks every one should live life the safest way possible.
on be half of the kuwaity transexuals i ask you today to help us and to tell the world what is happening to us by the police and by the new law that strictly declares transexuals as outlaws and criminals.
a few months ago a law was posed in kuwait declaring that transexuals or any man acting, dressing or looking like a female will be sent to jail for some time and will get their head shaved so they can go back to be normal men.
medical research has proved that we cant become men and it has proven that we are men from the outside but women from the inside and that we cant go on with our lives looking like males but we feel safer and more comfortable as females.
let me tell you a little about kuwait if you have good connections you can deal with drugs commit murder or even rape and u can get of the hook very easily but if u dont you will be sentinced to jail or even executed.
today and as i type this letter alot of transexuals have been thrown in jail and have been shaved and beaten up to a point where they started telling on each other. their crime is feeling safer and more secure as women and not men so they became a threat to the community and to the state of kuwait.Each transexual is forced into confessing on the where abouts of her friends and are refused to call a lawyer and are thrown in jail straight away for a time only the police know of .
the kuwaity constitution is just like the french and it strictly states that EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIFE THE WAY THEY CHOSE OR FEEL SAFEST IN we had this before the conservatives declared war on transexuals outlawing us and making up stories that we are all involved in drugs and prostitution i must say that there are some who do drugs and others that prostitute but not the majorty it is a minority. we only ask the world to see whats happening to us to see that getting beat up and tortured will not cure the problem they should try and understand us help us live our lives as the women we are.
many people oppose this law but cant say a word because the islamists in kuwait have forbidden every thing that goes against their beleifs and are trying to take the country back in time to the time of knights and horses a time when the sword ruled but not the constitution .
we ask the world to help us help us live help us survive if no one helps us they will eventually arrest us all and only god knows where we are going to end up. from this letter i hope my voice can be heard world wide and hope that all the good hearted people in the world that think we should live our lives help and support us so we can survive god only knows if i might type another letter to you all and if i might escape arrest tomorrow.
god be with you all
from : a heart broken and frightened kuwaity transexual"

[AllanahStarrNYC]

More details:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/17/kuwait17800.htm

[mbf]

sad stuff. The only thing that comes to my mind is Amnesty International.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

I've contacted GLAAD and several other places who have been helpful in sending me links to many human rights organizations and international LGBT organizations.

I've been sending this story out because this needs some media attention.

I havel also introduced the subject to the moderator of the panel that I will be speaking on March 29 to hopefully draw some attention to this issue.

[scorpion]

I know about the problem and its a very compliquated. I DO MY BEST to fight four HBT " homo bisexuall transexuall" persons al the time in evry corner of the world....But I guess its a full time situation to defense myself and my partner and some friends....Its not ours fault that wee living in a rotten world.

[FREEFALLL666]

I've contacted GLAAD and several other places who have been helpful in sending me links to many human rights organizations and international LGBT organizations.

I've been sending this story out because this needs some media attention.

I havel also introduced the subject to the moderator of the panel that I will be speaking on March 29 to hopefully draw some attention to this issue. Hmm maybee one of the girls could get in touch with someone with connections to Maury? If he has had one on hs show Im sure that he could contact those in the media.

[Nowhere]

I don't mean to be harsh, but rights aren't protected in the US and nothing said here will do a remote thing there.

It's like Tibet. No matter how much protesting is done in the US, it's the other side of the world and the people ruling could care less.

If I were them, i'd leave town NOW.

Maybe in 25 years things will get better, but it needs to get better here before it will get better there.

[SXFX]

Your friend may be able to travel to the US and live here with out much problem. There is a "special" relationship regarding the US and a few choice countries in the middle east.

[yodajazz]

I agree with everyone that suggests any avenue to help those people there. However I think that it helps too if people in the community take on the mindset that working on behalf of the rights of transgender people is not just helping them, but all of humanity. This struggle is for the rights of anyone who wants to be themselves, and does not seek to harm others. The struggle to grant rights to transgender person is just part of the evolutionary process of granting equal rights to all classes of people. For example, in our nation’s recent history we have come to understand and accept that handicapped people deserve access to the public places that other classes of people could get into. So gaining rights and acceptance for transgender people, along with gays and lesbians is just another step in the struggle for mankind to understand that people should not be punished just for being born different than the masses of other people.

We are fighting for the right for transgender people to live as themselves. And in the process we are also advancing of all humanity.

P.S. I want to thank Allanah for bringing this important issue to our attention. I also want to explain that I am a Sociologist by training, so I tend to look at issues within a larger framework.

[muhmuh]

We are fighting for the right for transgender people to live as themselves. And in the process we are also advancing of all humanity.

P.S. I want to thank Allanah for bringing this important issue to our attention. I also want to explain that I am a Sociologist by training, so I tend to look at issues within a larger framework.

lets step out of utopia for a moment and face the truth that were not going to change anything over there... not in this lifetime anyway
at this rate the only sensible thing to do is to get the hell out of there

if anything works its leading by example and im sure all of your home countries still have a lot to do in that regard so what not start with changing things where youre at

choose your enemies wisely... a mans heart cant be filled with any old windmill

[yodajazz]

We are fighting for the right for transgender people to live as themselves. And in the process we are also advancing of all humanity.


... if anything works its leading by example and im sure all of your home countries still have a lot to do in that regard so what not start with changing things where youre at

choose your enemies wisely... a mans heart cant be filled with any old windmill

I am basically saying something very similar. I also say the struggle is affected by the way it is framed. And it is in fact "choosing ones enemies" and friends very wisely. If we are in fact helping all humanity in our own way, then any one else helping humanity is our friend. That is not utopia; a lot of people on this planet wish to make the world better for everyone. It is basic 'war' strategy to bring as many allies as you can into a battle.

[mischelle]

Dear miss Allanah I am just a silly nobody, a transsexual in the Midwest, but I am a member of several organizations for tg rights. I have brought this topic up and I will keep doing so. I personally will not stop fighting for our rights world wide.

[justatransgirl]

Thank you Allanah for this posting.

I have forwarded copies to the Transgender Law Center in SF and to our local group in San Diego the TASC - neither of which does anything but soak up grant money, but at least they will be appraised of the situation and the more who know the harder to sweep under the rug.

And folks remember this is our "ally" the country we've protected with american lives. Copies of this should really be sent to every legislator. Of course what's a few TS lives to keep the oil coming.

Sigh,
TS Jamie :-(

[ARMANIXXX]

I think it's a damn shame.

But at the same time, I want to recognize and respect the laws, traditions, cultural differences and ways of other countries.

While I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone, I don't think it's reasonable to condemn Kuwait for doing things the way they see fit over there. It's also not reasonable, in my opinion, to believe every other culture/country is supposed to be like that of the United States.

Am I wrong?

[LAGent4ts]

Allanah,
Back in April of 07, a sports writer with the LA times discussed the fact that he was actually a transgendered person, was taking vacation and upon returning would be known as Christine Daniels.

Perhaps you could contact her and see if she can get some press going via the Times.

Here is her e mail address: christine.daniels@latimes.com

Just a thought. I have attached a copy of the article.

Where the hell is the USA and the Human Rights squad?

From the LA Times this morning.


Old Mike, new Christine
By Mike Penner, Times Staff Writer
April 26, 2007


During my 23 years with The Times' sports department, I have held a wide variety of roles and titles. Tennis writer. Angels beat reporter. Olympics writer. Essayist. Sports media critic. NFL columnist. Recent keeper of the Morning Briefing flame.

Today I leave for a few weeks' vacation, and when I return, I will come back in yet another incarnation.

As Christine.

I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words. I realize many readers and colleagues and friends will be shocked to read them.

That's OK. I understand that I am not the only one in transition as I move from Mike to Christine. Everyone who knows me and my work will be transitioning as well. That will take time. And that's all right. To borrow a piece of well-worn sports parlance, we will take it one day at a time.

Transsexualism is a complicated and widely misunderstood medical condition. It is a natural occurrence — unusual, no question, but natural.

Recent studies have shown that such physiological factors as genetics and hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can significantly affect how our brains are "wired" at birth.

As extensive therapy and testing have confirmed, my brain was wired female.

A transgender friend provided the best and simplest explanation I have heard: We are born with this, we fight it as long as we can, and in the end it wins.

I gave it as good a fight as I possibly could. I went more than 40 hard rounds with it. Eventually, though, you realize you are only fighting yourself and your happiness and your mental health — a no-win situation any way you look at it.

When you reach the point when one gender causes heartache and unbearable discomfort, and the other brings more joy and fulfillment than you ever imagined possible, it shouldn't take two tons of bricks to fall in order to know what to do.

It didn't with me.

With me, all it took was 1.99 tons.

For more years than I care to count, I was scared to death over the prospect of writing a story such as this one. It was the most frightening of all the towering mountains of fear I somehow had to confront and struggle to scale.

How do you go about sharing your most important truth, one you spent a lifetime trying to keep deeply buried, to a world that has grown familiar and comfortable with your façade?

To a world whose knowledge of transsexuals usually begins and ends with Jerry Springer's exploitation circus?

Painfully and reluctantly, I began the coming-out process a few months ago. To my everlasting amazement, friends and colleagues almost universally have been supportive and encouraging, often breaking the tension with good-natured doses of humor.

When I told my boss Randy Harvey, he leaned back in his chair, looked through his office window to scan the newsroom and mused, "Well, no one can ever say we don't have diversity on this staff."

When I told Robert, the soccer-loving lad from Wales who cuts my hair, why I wanted to start growing my hair out, he had to take a seat, blink hard a few times and ask, "Does this mean you don't like football anymore, Mike?"

No, I had to assure him, I still love soccer. I will continue to watch it. I hope to continue to coach it.

My days of playing in men's over-30 rec leagues, however, could be numbered.

When I told Eric, who has played sweeper behind my plodding stopper for more than a decade, he brightly suggested, "Well, you're still good for co-ed!"

I broke the news to Tim by beginning, "Are you familiar with the movie 'Transamerica'?" Tim nodded. "Well, welcome to my life," I said.

Tim seemed more perplexed than most as I nervously launched into my story.

Finally, he had to explain, "I thought you said 'Trainspotting.' I thought you were going to tell me you're a heroin addict."

People have asked if transitioning will affect my writing. And if so, how?

All I can say at this point is that I am now happier, more focused and more energized when I sit behind a keyboard. The wicked writer's block that used to reach up and torture me at some of the worst possible times imaginable has disappeared.

My therapist says this is what happens when a transsexual finally "integrates" and the ever-present white noise in the background dissipates.

That should come as good news to my editors: far fewer blown deadlines.

So now we all will take a short break between bylines. "Mike Penner" is out, "Christine Daniels" soon will be taking its place.

From here, it feels like a big improvement. I hope with time you will agree.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

I've been contacted by several human rights organizations who are working on this matter- GLAAD has also contacted me and several others.

A friend of mine who was frequently visiting Dubai who works in Paris was arrested at a mall in Dubail while shopping for having a male passport and was jailed for 80 days until France was able to get her back.

Andrea James also contacted me and posted the story here:

http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/trans_women_in_middle_east_face_more_crackdowns_an d_abuses/

Which includes a very disturbing video of a trans woman in Iraq
that was arrested and you can watch as they shave her head and mock her and make fun of her througout the process.

I am surprised more poeple are not responding to this thread?

[shemaleseeker]

I'm from Kuwait and everything you've read and seen is absolutely TRUE.Tgirls are treated worse than animals here, they are considered a social menace.People are very prejudiced and phobic to tgirls.They abuse, get physical and even call the cops on them if they see a tgirl gathering.Rape and abuse of tgirls is everyday news here and is just "norm".

Kuwait is dominantly Islamic and most people consider trans sexuality a SIN.The press and authorities dismiss tgirls as just 'guys dressed in woman's clothes".Obviously, they don't understand the condition and the thought process involved.Its sad but at the same time there isn't much they or anyone else can do.

[yodajazz]

I think it's a damn shame.

But at the same time, I want to recognize and respect the laws, traditions, cultural differences and ways of other countries.

While I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone, I don't think it's reasonable to condemn Kuwait for doing things the way they see fit over there. It's also not reasonable, in my opinion, to believe every other culture/country is supposed to be like that of the United States.

Am I wrong?

It is true that we should respect peoples laws and traditions, however those things are affected by the general outlook of the culture, legal rulings, an so forth. For example a high religious official in Iran issued a ruling that transexuality was essentially a birth defect, and that srs was a cure for them to live as women. (However Iran executes gays.)
In every culture and religion there are competing principles so that traditions can adapt to new attitudes. And often these opinions are change through medical findings.

I think we have an obligation to speak up on what we consider to be the mistreatment of others. It might help them to reexamine the facts of whether those persons should be judged harshly or with mercy.

[Hostile]

DO NOT GET ME STARTED!. That video was HORRIBLE , that whole religion is an abombination to humanity! That poor girl was in fear, you could see it in her eyes. The whole Middle East is FUCKED UP. I am all for their liberation. The myspace girl is doing good if she has access to a computer and chatting with people, I instead feel more sorrow for the girl we saw humiliated and stuck sitting in a prison with no computer no one to talk too. Great Job Allanah, you get my vote for important posts like this when you got other CLOWNS on this site post videos of themselves acting like fools for the pathetic trick to drool over . This is real shit right here, this is why our freedom means so much. My heart goes out to that poor girl in the video, while you tricks drool over the self promoters with their assinine youtube video's, this is where the focus should be on important stuff, the poor TS sitting in jail for expressing herself. Allanah what can we do to help that poor girl, not the myspace girl, the one in trouble. I can't forget seeing those scared eyes, you here have no idea how good you got it.

[Johnny B.]

Oh wow now its just getting sad. When people are being convicted for being themselves.

[tstv_lover]

While there may be greater injustices in the world, eg Darfur, each breach of human rights needs to be addressed.

In 1996 Kuwait became a signatory to the UN International Covenant on Human and Political Rights. The action that Allanah has highlighted clearly breaches this commitment.

I live in New Zealand and I have now written to the New Zealand Government expressing my outrage about this action and demanding that they follow up with Kuwait directly and through the UN. I encourage everyone to contact your national representatives and do the same.

[tstv_lover]

I think it's a damn shame.

But at the same time, I want to recognize and respect the laws, traditions, cultural differences and ways of other countries.

While I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone, I don't think it's reasonable to condemn Kuwait for doing things the way they see fit over there. It's also not reasonable, in my opinion, to believe every other culture/country is supposed to be like that of the United States.

Am I wrong?

You're absolutely right that we should respect the laws, tradition and cultural differences of others. Indeed many of the recent international tensions have resulted from attempts to impose Western values on others.

This situation is different. Article 26 of the "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights" states:

Article 26

All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/a_ccpr.htm

Kuwait ratified this agreement in 1996. To now pass legislation as outlined earlier in this thread is directly in breach of this agreement and should not be tolerated - by anyone.

[Dodika]

Sorry people,but I think you make a great mistake. You try to compare Middle Ages with the 21st century.

[tstv_lover]

Sorry people,but I think you make a great mistake. You try to compare Middle Ages with the 21st century.

That is one of the dumbest comments I've seen here.

This is the 21st century for you, for me and for the girl in the video. We need to address this issue now.

I assume you're referring to the Muslim religion in your "middle ages" comment. From what I know of the Muslim religion, it is a noble and sincere religion which has many similar values to Christianity and Buddhism. If someone chooses to follow Buddhism, Christianity, Islam or Judaism or no religion at all - then I'm certainly not going to criticise them.

However I will condemn a country why willingly signs up to an international agreement on human rights and then passes legislation in contradiction of the human rights charter. Hopefully others will similarly criticise this action and we'll have the legislation removed.

Do what you can.

[Dodika]

Man you misunderstood me. Middle ages is not refering to religion, but to the government. In a country where the religion is not separated from politics you will be never allowed to live your own life. The best example is Lebanon. There are two kinds of muslims: "modern" muslims wearing european clothes and "conservative" muslims who fight against them. There are clearly visible two worlds inside the same country. By the way a lot of countries signed up to international agreements without accepting them.

[tstv_lover]

Man you misunderstood me. Middle ages is not refering to religion, but to the government. In a country where the religion is not separated from politics you will be never allowed to live your own life.

Kuwait has an elected parliament - indeed the oldest elected parliament system in the region. It's a secular government, although there is certainly recognition of the Islamic faith - much like Malaysia. Also remember that Kuwait is very rich - the 4th highest GDP per person in the world.

There are only 3 countries where religion controls politics to the extent you suggest - Iran, Israel and the Vatican City.


By the way a lot of countries signed up to international agreements without accepting them.

So, we just ignore it? We have a Human Rights Commission responsible for ensuring that signatories comply with their commitments.

Getting back to the issue, what other actions can be taken to help these girls?

[peggygee]

Thank you Allanah for bringing this to the attention of the forum,
and thanks also to those who contributed positive and insightful
responses.