In a recent event, International School Lahore came under fire when they removed a prominent transgender rights activist Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan from the speaker panel for the Tedx event. The organizers claimed that the parents did not want a transgender to be given the platform. This news was a huge setback for the freedom and acceptance of the transgender community. As it became viral, other noted speakers including Ammar Ali Jan and Ghazi Taimoor backed off from Tedx in solidarity.
Maria B, a Pakistani fashion designer who has been in the news previously for mistreating her house help during the pandemic jumped on the bandwagon and lauded the school for removing Dr. Mehrub from the panel. The designer claimed that Dr. Awan is a “hermaphrodite” and is misleading people.
The term “hermaphrodite” is no longer appropriate because it is derogatory and inaccurate.
Although the International School Lahore has issued an apology to Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan they have shown a blatant disregard for her efforts. The claims about her personal views have further endangered her life.
Maria B. and the International School Lahore owe an apology to Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan and the transgender community for their ill-informed gender discourse and the harm caused by their discriminatory behavior.
