A small town in Bangladesh has elected the country’s first transgender mayor after the 45-year-old independent candidate beat her ruling party rival in a landslide, officials say. Nazrul Islam Ritu said her victory showed growing acceptance of the “Hijra” community, an umbrella term for those born male but do not refer to themselves as either a man or woman. She said, “The glass ceiling is breaking. It is a good sign. The victory means they really love me and they have embraced me as their own. I will dedicate my life to public service.” The South Asian nation is home to an estimated 1.5 million transgender people, who face discrimination and violence and are often forced to live by begging or working in the sex trade. Ritu, who uses both male and female pronouns, was born into a large Muslim family but fled her rural hometown of Trilochanpur as a child and took refuge at a commune of transgender people in the capital Dhaka.
Muslim Bangladesh Town Elects Country’s First Trans Mayor
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Pocket
WhatsApp
Post Views: 1
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Pocket
WhatsApp
Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Related News
2024 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade Live Broadcast
June 19, 2024
Wilton Manors Lights Up with HOTspots! Art Walk on March 16
March 13, 2024
Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Recent News
2024 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade Live Broadcast
June 19, 2024
Wilton Manors Lights Up with HOTspots! Art Walk on March 16
March 13, 2024
Events Near You
Oct 21 2024
Fort Lauderdale HIV+ Gay Discussion Group
ArtServe, 1350 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
No event found!