Resilient Voices: Transgender Activism in Asia 

Amid growing anti-gender campaigns at both national and global levels, transgender activists across East Asia and South Asia continue to build resilient movements and create space to advance transgender rights within their own countries.  Join us for the third session of our series, where we examine recent progress in transgender rights across East and South Asia. In this conversation, three remarkable transgender leaders from the region will share their lived experiences and strategic insights on how transgender communities work with allies to create meaningful change. 

During the session, we will explore: 

• How do transgender leaders in China collaborate with medical professionals to expand access to gender-affirming healthcare. 
• How do transgender activists in Japan engage the legal system to advance gender recognition. 
• How do transgender leaders in Pakistan shape narratives to influence policymakers and drive legal reform.

Panelists:

• Mameta Endo ( He/Him)  is a writer and trans activist based in Tokyo, and the founder and representative of Niji-zu, a safe space for LGBTQ youth. As a trans person, Mameta began his activism in his teenage years and has nearly 20 years of experience as an activist. 
• Dr. Xiaogao Zhou (He/They) is an assistant professor of sociology at Bryn Mawr College. His research and activism interests focus on health, knowledge, and Chinese LGBTQ+ communities. He’s currently working on a book project based on two years of research that explores how Chinese trans community activism transforms healthcare and kinship systems. 
• Nayyab Ali is a globally celebrated human rights defender, gender policy strategist, published author and researcher, social scientist, and a leading voice for transgender inclusion from Pakistan, with 12 years of experience. She has advised various ministries of the Government of Pakistan on inclusive policies and frameworks. Currently, she serves as the Incharge of the Transgender Protection Unit and Additional Incharge of the Gender Protection Unit at Islamabad Police, where she has pioneered transformative policing models to address gender-based violence and protect marginalized communities, particularly in a Muslim-majority country. 

Moderator: Ying Xin Program Manager at Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights