Beyond national borders, a disturbing trend is emerging, as anti-transgender sentiment continues to rear its ugly head, affecting communities worldwide. While we’re all too familiar with the struggles faced by transgender individuals in the United States, it’s essential to recognize that this issue extends far beyond American shores. In this era of growing awareness and activism, a global perspective reveals an unsettling reality.

Transgender communities globally are facing not just marginalization but, in some cases, outright hostility. Discrimination against transgender individuals has led to grave consequences in various Asian nations, where their rights and well-being are increasingly under threat.

Falun Gong’s Ongoing Influence

Under the cloak of religion, the Falun Gong has been repeatedly accused of perpetuating anti-transgender sentiments. Their influence extends to media outlets such as The Epoch Times, which has been under increasing scrutiny for promoting an anti-transgender agenda and NTD (New Tang Dynasty) a TV station with a very regressive beauty pageant. Critics argue that the organization’s stance on transgender issues contributes to discrimination and the marginalization of transgender individuals.

One stark example of The Epoch Times’ position on transgender matters can be observed in its coverage of the MISS NTD Beauty Pageant. This New York City-based contest explicitly mandates that contestants must be “natural-born females.” This policy has drawn widespread criticism from transgender advocates who argue it perpetuates discrimination and harmful stereotypes. However, The Epoch Times has chosen to defend the pageant, asserting that it upholds “traditional values.”

Tony Babcock, a well respect LGBTQ+ advocate puts it this way, “Media outlets that exist on the fringes of society see this as a hot-button issue and a way to cater to audiences well beyond the mainstream. This underscores the challenge of fostering understanding and empathy in the face of sensationalism and sensationalist narratives.”

Global Anti-Trans Sentiment

Anti-transgender sentiment is not confined to one corner of the world. In various Asian countries, transgender individuals grapple with significant challenges, including legal hurdles, social stigmatization, and violence.

For instance, in some South Asian countries like India and Bangladesh, transgender individuals, often referred to as hijras or aravanis, have faced long-standing discrimination and lack legal recognition. While India has taken progressive steps in recent years with the recognition of a “third gender” and anti-discrimination measures, there is still much work to be done to combat societal prejudices.

In Malaysia, transgender individuals, particularly transgender women, face immense challenges in accessing healthcare, employment, and education due to entrenched societal norms and religious conservatism.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has also witnessed increasing hostility towards transgender individuals. Local authorities in some regions have passed laws targeting transgender people, effectively criminalizing their identities and actions.

The Role of Media in Shaping Perceptions

The Epoch Times has created an original documentary titled “Gender Transformation: The Untold Realities,” which seeks to challenge the authenticity of transgender experiences. In the documentary, parents, politicians, and educators are depicted as advocates of what it terms “pro-transgender indoctrination,” a notion that experts in the field widely reject. Detractors argue that the film is marred by inaccuracies and bias, presenting transgender individuals in an unfavorable manner. Furthermore, it promotes the unfounded idea that transgender individuals are afflicted with mental illness and constitute a societal threat.

Transgender rights are human rights, irrespective of geographic boundaries. An attack on transgender individuals anywhere is an attack on us all. The antidote to hate and discrimination is understanding, empathy, and solidarity. Media outlets seeking to marginalize this group are part of the problem.

By recognizing the global nature of the challenge and standing together, we can strive for a world where transgender individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of where they call home. It is incumbent upon all nations to protect and promote the rights of transgender individuals and to ensure their inclusion and equality within society.