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Police Abuse of transgendered people in Malaysia. Amnesty International plea for action.  Click here for more information

 

The troubling case of Shahzima Tariq and Shamial Raj, married in September 2006, imprisoned for perjury on 28th May 2007 (Click on photo for more information)

The death of Tonette Lopez (Click on photo for more information)

 

 

Site inception date: 2nd May 2002

TransgenderASIA

 

 

Welcome to the Transgender ASIA Research Centre. The Centre seeks to bring together psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, as well as medical and legal experts who share a desire to better understand the phenomenon of transgenderism, as well as the circumstances in which transpeople (transgendered people) live, in Asia.  This website aims to promote and disseminate research and understanding of, as well as contributing towards efforts to effect social change in regard to, transgenderism in Asia. 

A definition of transgender (TG)

Transgender ASIA defines transpeople as those males or females of any age who are unhappy living in the gender identity ascribed to them at birth. They have perhaps  assumed a full-time alternative gender identity. Alternatively they intend to do so, or would do so if circumstances allowed.  The essential feature here is identity; the sense, for example, of being born male but feeling female (or indeed a member of a third gender). Sexual preference is irrelevant. Used in this way the term transgenderism is broadly synonymous with transsexuality. Others might use the phrase Gender Identity Disorder.  

But TransgenderASIA shares the view that transgenderism is simply one aspect of human diversity. It is a difference not a disorder.  Transpeople are no more mad than they are bad or sad. While transpeople, like everyone else, may suffer problems of adjustment, those suffered by transpeople most commonly arise out of the intolerance of those around them to their transgenderism. If we can speak of any gender identity disorder at all, it is in the inability of many societies to accept the particular gender identity difference we call transgenderism. 

Why a need to study Asian transgender?

Research in transgenderims is mostly Western. The situation in psychology illustrates this point well. Of 235 key publications on transgenderims in the period 1992 to 2002 around 41% were European and 48% were North American, a total of 89% from two parts of the world that account for only 20% of its population. Only seven per cent were from Asia.(search details)

In many of the 46 countries across the continent we find that transgenderism is an aspect of modern society; in some a very open and vibrant aspect, in others less so. We suggest that Asian transpeople probably comprise both a majority within the world at large, as well as a markedly under-researched group.    

Asia embraces a wide variety of ethnic groups, religions, cultures, as well as social, legal and economic circumstances in which the practising transperson must live. As a result, we cannot assume that research done in the developed societies of North America, Europe and Australia can inevitably enhance our understanding of transgenderism in Asia. 

In many Asian societies transpeople face more prejudice and discrimination, suffer greater intolerance and hardship, and have to endure more frequent and fundamental affronts to dignity and human rights, than do their peers in the developed world.

For all these reasons, there is a great need for more research into, understanding of and social action for transgenderism in Asia. Transgender ASIA aims to facilitate all three.

We invite you to make contact to enquire about the Centre or to ask to join  our mailing list to receive prompt information on updates through your e mail. 

Most recent updates

20th August 2007: Two new books on bibliography page. Update from Nighat Khan regarding Pakistani Court Case involving Shahzina and Shamail. Amnesty International statement about police abuse against transgendered people in Malaysia.

 11th June -- Links. Links to revamped personal website of Leona Lo, living in Singapore. Now carries her autobiography and that of other transpeople in Singapore. 

6th June 2007 - The troubling case of Shahzima Tariq and Shamial Raj (see top of page)

25th May 2007. A new research paper by Sahika Yuksel et al. 'A working model in group setting with transgender people: example from Turkey'.

Menu

Disclaimer: We make efforts to avoid linking to any sites carrying material that might, for any reason,  be considered offensive. However, the nature of websites is that they can be very extensive and can change on a daily basis. We cannot therefore be held responsible for any links that turn out to lead to offensive material. In the event that such material is found please inform us so that we can examine whether we need to take the link down. 

Centre staff

Associate members

Research Degree Opportunities in Asia.

Research grant

Transgender Rights (to RED (Respect, Equality and Dignity)). 'RED' Scores  for various countries in Asia and elsewhere

Country reports on transgender in Asia:    

Book reviews

Research and discussion papers on transgenderism:    

        Bangladesh

        Hong Kong

        Indonesia

        Laos

        Philippines  

        Thailand

        Turkey

        Vietnam

        General

Miscellaneous materials:    

Some surgeons working with transgenders in Asia. (compiled by F.W.Kim)

Bibliography of Asian transgender (and transgender-related) studies (compiled by Sam Winter)

Directory of researchers, educators and activists  in gender identity and transgender in Asia (compiled by Sam Winter)

Life histories of transpeople in Asia:   (Please note; for other accounts see some of the personal websites to which you can link via our Links page) 

Links

 

 

E-mail Sam Winter

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