KARACHI: Waving the transgender flag, which has the traditional colours for baby girls and baby boys — pink and blue with a white stripe in the middle, transgender people from all over the country gathered for the second ‘Hijra Festival’ at the Frere Hall Gardens on Saturday to raise a united voice for their rights while celebrating their identity and existence.

Members of civil society and human rights activists also joined in to lend support.

This year’s festival theme was ‘Identity, Existence and Empowerment’.

Of course no one could dare deny their existence at the festival. They were so out there, making bold and beautiful fashion statements as they demanded freedom to live life on their own terms.

There was the chief organiser Kami Choudhry sporting a pretty light blue and pink dress with golden gota kinari [lace with sequins] and a blue and white beaded choker and matching earrings. “See, we are back for another year to celebrate this festival. There are transgenders here from the entire country to add colour to our celebration of ourselves,” Kami told Dawn.

There was also the brilliant Dr Sarah Gill-Khan, Pakistan’s first transgender doctor, in a lime green designer block-print peshwaas. “I’m one of the organisers of this festival along with Kami and I would like to say what a great idea this is to gather. The time when we used to cry is over. It’s now time to smile and laugh and enjoy our existence,” said Dr Gill-Khan. “Even before the debate over our gender, please understand and accept that we are also human beings,” Dr Gill-Khan added.

Arzoo Khan from Peshawar was decorated from head to toe in heavy Afghani jewellery over a gorgeous black Kuchi tribal dress. Reem Sharif in a black dress with sequins and a pearl nose ring had come from Islamabad, Alisha in a black flowery dress and very long silver earrings was from Multan. Hina from Karachi, who was also the festival president, wore a black Tharri embroidered dress. Hina was also carrying a small painted matki (glazed clay pot) full of red rose petals which she showered over the guests from other cities to welcome them.

Apart from the elegant black dress wearers, there was a transgender school teacher from Sargodha, Miss Maheen, in a bright orange kurti and Timmy Khan from Lahore had stitched for herself a long maxi dress from the transgender flag itself with matching tassels and Bubbly, also from Lahore, was wearing a bubblegum pink shalwar kameez.

“We are here to raise awareness about our gender. We also exist in God’s world so please don’t turn your backs to us. Please acknowledge us. Acceptance in society begins with you. We also deserve respect,” Bubbly told Dawn.

Meanwhile, commenting on the difference between this festival and the Sindh Moorat March, the founding president of Gender Interactive Alliance Guru, Bindiya Rana, said that it was good that there were several movements coming up from the transgender community.

“Just like this festival is taking place in Karachi today, there will also be the Sindh Moorat March on the 24th of this month in Hyderabad,” informed Bindiya.

“As these festivals and gatherings move from city to city, so should the spreading of awareness about our rights,” Bindiya added.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2024