By John Mack Freeman
A Malaysian court upheld a ban on cross-dressing this week that continues to criminalize trans women in that country. The ruling overturned a previous ruling on procedural grounds. Via PinkNews:
In November, the Appeals Court ruled that Section 66 of the Sharia code of the state of Negeri Sembilan – that bars Muslim men from dressing or behaving as women – was unconstitutional.
This had been seen as a legal victory and a progressive step forward for trans women as it had been hoped that the decision could be used as legal precedence to extend trans rights across the whole country.
The judge said at the time : “As long as section 66 is in force the appellants will continue to live in uncertainty, misery, and indignity. … Therefore, section 66 is unconstitutional and void.”
