In traditional, backward, and religious societies like Pakistan, the concept of rights regarding LGBT are not established equally among the LGBT persons and normally perceived gender persons. A LGBT person is treated as a curse in such a society that considers it a bad and unnatural omen. Actually, it is a biological abnormality occurred during the formative stage of an embryo in the female womb. According to this factor, it is should not be considered the fate of the person to be born in such way. So as a citizen or human beings they are and should be entitled to have the same and equal rights as other citizens or human beings in the society and the country given and protected under the constitutional laws.
Pakistan being a religious country has religious customs and norms which prohibit or dislike LGBT people because they are different from others and born with a biological fault. In earlier times and even till now in this 21st century, the LGBTs could not interact with normal people because they are discouraged by people in general.
Moreover, there is always discrimination and disapproval of the LGBT community in our society. The LGBT community does not get job facilities, proper education, proper health care, and proper protection according to the law of the country. However, there is an Act known as the ‘transgender person (Protection of Rights) Act 2018’ which says that the rights of transgender are protected. The act ensures transgender people’s “fundamental rights to inheritance, education, employment, vote, hold public office, health, assembly, and access to public spaces and property. It confirms that they enjoy all the rights that the nation’s constitution grants to its citizens.” Pakistan has many Laws relating to LGTB, Human Rights, Women’s Rights, etc. But when it comes to implementation, the Laws and Acts are not implemented in letter and sprite, hence they are facing discrimination everywhere.
Furthermore, gay’s/lesbian’s living conditions are worst in Pakistani society because of the religious and social norms and the rigid and unaccommodated mindset of the society. “A documentary short film was released on June 9, 2016, in which a young boy getting beaten up and is later sodomized with a tree branch after he was caught in homosexual acts by conservative religious society members” . However in Pakistan penal code 1860 have the punishment for such act i.e. “section 377 Unnatural offenses: Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years or more than ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.” According to this act, it is clear how Pakistani society is cruel towards gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual communities. Not only this in other segments of society, such as politicians, religious clerks, doctors, engineers, actors, journalists, army personnel, police, etc. “Transgender people are treated differently, at least on paper, then gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. Pakistani citizens who are transgender or a member of the third gender are a recognized minority group and thus entitled to certain civil rights.”
Furthermore, on “4 July 2011 the US embassy in Islamabad hold an LGBT event in support of Gay rights in Pakistan. After that, the Jamaat-e-Islami and other conservative religious groups in Pakistan condemned the event and went to protest. Further, in news speculation, it was said by religious leaders that homosexuals cannot be “Pakistani” or “Muslim”.
According to a report which was released by “International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGBTIA and in Europe ILGA) which stated that a plurality of 45% of Pakistanis agreed that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as straight people, while 36% disagreed (with rest being undecided). Additionally, 41% agreed that they should be protected from workplace discrimination. 46% of Pakistanis, however, said that people who are in same-sex relationships should be charged as criminals, while 31% disagreed. As for transgender people, 49% agreed that they should have the same rights, 51% believed they should be protected from employment discrimination and 44% believed they should be allowed to change their legal gender”.
In last Pakistan should make or implement these Laws which are specially made for the LGBT community. Because we cannot hide the de facto (reality) in every community or society the gays, bisexuals, transgender and lesbian were found all around the world. The LGBT community should be able to get all the equal rights that a normal person is getting. The government should implement the Act which is made for the LGBT community and also government should ensure that the citizens should not be sarcastic towards the LGBT community. The government should provide a conducive atmosphere for the acceptability of LGBT as normal citizens and human beings with full constitutional rights.
