Trans Mehrub Moiz Awan’s removal from TEDx panel, Maria B’s POV spark fierce debate

The removal of a trans activist Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan from the panel of speakers at the August 20 TEDx conference at the International School Lahore (ISL) and the point of view (POV) given by famous designer Maria B have sparked a fierce debate on Twitter.

Twitterati started the debate after the researcher, comedian and trans activist Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan was from the panel of speakers at the TEDx conference, a popular platform for professionals and renowned individuals to share their successful journeys.

Following Dr Awan’s call, four speakers from the TEDx panel including Ammar Ali Jan and Ghazi Taimoor boycotted the event.

Dr Awan expressed disapproval of the private institution ISL’s decision in a Twitter thread, “In a meeting to review my draft speech, which according to the ISL admin is absolutely up to the mark of all TEDx regulations, I was informed that I am being removed from the speakers panel because some parents have stated that they can’t allow transgender people to speak to their kids. This is the International School Lahore btw. No objections to the talk, no additional censorship, just flat out refusal because “parents ko aitraaz hai k koi transgender talk day”. Their exact words. Verbatim.”

Finally censored for being trans and barred from speaking at TEDx ISL where I was slated to speak this 20th of August 2022 at ISL in Lahore – a thread #TEDxIsTransphobic#ISLisTransphobic#BoycottTEDxISL pic.twitter.com/lZwGPVXJp5

— Mehrub Moiz Awan (@TMItalks) August 16, 2022

Awan added, “I hope that the other speakers stand in solidarity and walk out of the TEDx because transwomen in Pakistan have stood for all the causes that are being represented by them. My talk wasn’t about me – it was about the racist colonial legacy of transphobia in Pakistan.”

Another tweet in the thread read, “I also hope that the media that is covering this asks ISL why was a transgender person removed abjectly for being transgender while nothing about the talk was contrary to any TEDx guidelines.” The trans activist also shared the video of the draft speech to let the audience decide it by themselves.

Maria B’s approval to ISL’s decision

She wrote, “Well done ISL School! My kids are at ISL. And we as parents will decide who real role models are for our kids.” She also posted her picture with victory sign using hashtag #WeStandWithISL.

Maria B said, “This person [Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan] is NOT from the KHWAJASARA [transgender] community. love and respect always for the khawajasara. He is a man transitioning into a woman in Pakistan. Openly on social media! Our kinds need to know the difference between genderless and trans community.”

She added, “This person is unaware of the Pakistani people’s misconceptions about the transgender community. 99% of our population thinks the term transgender is synonyms with hermaphrodite or our local term khawasira, i.e. a person born with both male and female sexual characteristics. Even our lawmakers confuse the term when they make laws called ‘transgender laws’ when they really mean those for hermaphrodites. That is the community being protected in schools and across the nation. Which I send all my love and support to. No hate against this person either. just letting you know that they are using the wrong label when they say that the law ‘protests’ them. It does not as they are not part of the khawajasira community.”

Responding to Maria B, the trans activist tweeted, “Today is a great day to be Maria B the designer whose claim to fame is using homophobia and transphobia after mistreating her house help during COVID. Please appreciate how hard she’s used the 2 brain cells that she has to psychoanalyze me. Brilliant gender discourse as well.”

“I’ve always said transphobia is and will always be perpetuated by the elite bourgeoise but hide behind over zealous religious vigilantes. Goli beshak ap ka middle class fanatic chalaye, lekin moral policing ki philosophy yeh elite bourgeoise hi laatay hain.”

“It allows them to maintain their riches and hegemony in a highly unequal society, while hiding behind morality and public sensitivities. It’d be difficult to understand, but then they’re too transparent and easy to understand. 2 brain cells y know,” said Awan.

Today is a great day to be Maria B the designer whose claim to fame is using homophobia and transphobia after mistreating her house help during COVID.
Please appreciate how hard she’s used the 2 brain cells that she has to psychoanalyze me.
Brilliant gender discourse as well. pic.twitter.com/juM6WqLwGt

— Mehrub Moiz Awan (@TMItalks) August 17, 2022

Here are some reactions from the Twitterati in favour of Mehrub Moiz Awan and Maria B:

Actor Ushna Shah took to Instagram to express her disapproval of the ‘absolutely pathetic’ development and asked the other speakers of the TEDx conference to walk out.

Joyland director Saim Sadiq mocked Maria B, saying, “Our lady of the Lahori Chandelier Club of ‘Actual’ biological women has thus spoken.”

Ammar Ali Jan wrote on Twitter, “Pathetic! This is a huge loss for the young audience who would have gained fascinating insights from Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan’s talk. I was supposed to be a speaker at the event but will boycott it in solidarity with Dr. Awan and the trans community.”

Pathetic! This is a huge loss for the young audience who would have gained fascinating insights from Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan’s talk. I was supposed to be a speaker at the event but will boycott it in solidarity with Dr. Awan and the trans community. https://t.co/OiLD1YDm6E

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) August 16, 2022

Ghazi Taimoor said, “Transphobia is unacceptable and as an educator, these are not the values I want institutions to encourage. In solidarity with Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan who is being silenced for her trans identity, I am boycotting and will no longer be speaking at TEDx ISL.”

Transphobia is unacceptable and as an educator, these are not the values I want institutions to encourage. In solidarity with Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan who is being silenced for her trans identity, I am boycotting and will no longer be speaking at TEDx ISL. https://t.co/gyOYl93ZYk

— Ghazi Taimoor (@ghazi_taimoor) August 16, 2022

A netizen Afshan Tayyab wrote in Maria B’s support, “Stop using transphobia word for your defence. Maria b is right, you’re not “khwajasira” or we can say intersex. You’re a man trying to be a “woman”.

Stop using transphobia word for your defence. Maria b is right, you’re not “khwajasira” or we can say intersex. You’re a man trying to be a “woman” https://t.co/G7c25cfKN2

— Afshan Tayyab (@QueenAfshan_) August 17, 2022

Another user wrote, “This person is not a transgender but a normal healthy man as a transgender he wants to bring obscene campaign like GBLT to Pakistan boycott this beast. Thank you so much Maria B.”

This person is not a transgender but a normal healthy man as a transgender he wants to bring obscene campaign like GBLT to Pakistan boycott this beast. Thank you so much Maria B pic.twitter.com/7DJUrycXJk

— ۔ (@EmptyBage) August 17, 2022

Usama Khan went in favour of Maria B, “Maria B is being bullied by woke social media brigade just because she didn’t want to expose her children to a vile, trash-talking degenerate. Anyone who stands against that certain agenda being pushed in our society by a faithless minority has my support and respect.”

Maria B is being bullied by woke social media brigade just because she didn’t want to expose her children to a vile, trash-talking degenerate. Anyone who stands against that certain agenda being pushed in our society by a faithless minority has my support and respect.

— Usama Khan (@usamakhan_61) August 17, 2022

Amna Ghazi said, “It takes courage to raise your voice for what you think is right, esp when you’re in the public eye. She voiced her concerns despite knowing the backlash & hate she will receive for simply stating facts. Much respect for Maria B , in this particular case.”

It takes courage to raise your voice for what you think is right, esp when you’re in the public eye. She voiced her concerns despite knowing the backlash & hate she will receive for simply stating facts. Much respect for Maria B , in this particular case.

— Amna Ghazi (@amuuu03) August 17, 2022

Saith Abdullah said, “Never knew a day would come that I’d agree with Maria B. She only told the truth, she said nothing wrong.”

Never knew a day would come that I’d agree with Maria B. She only told the truth, she said nothing wrong.

— Saith Abdullah (@SaithAbdullah99) August 17, 2022