Editor’s Note: The following report contains stories of violence.
Trans Misogyny is a term first used in 2007 to describe the specific prejudice and hatred directed at trans women (individuals transitioning to female) or feminine-presenting individuals. The term stems from “misogyny,” which denotes hatred of women, highlighting the compounded risks faced by those expressing femininity, whether they are transgender or not. These individuals are often perceived as both homosexual and female, placing them at heightened vulnerability. This term aligns with the alarming incidents that have occurred in the Middle East this year against LGBTQIA+ individuals and transgender people.
TGEU, an organization that monitors and tracks murders of transgender individuals in Europe and Central Asia, documents in its annual report—covering the period from October 1 to September 30—the recording of 350 crimes with transgender individuals as victims.
It is worth noting that the discussion about victims of transphobia or “trans misogyny” coincides with the Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed in November. Many individuals engage with this occasion to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the potential risks faced by transgender individuals, especially in security-sensitive countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.
Iraq: Repeated Crimes and Authorities Accused of Involvement
Human rights defenders and LGBTQIA+ activists expressed outrage following the news of the death of a transgender woman known as “Jojo.” She had been placed in a men’s prison by Iraqi authorities, despite the facility being incompatible with her gender identity. This sparked widespread controversy and allegations of a conspiracy to eliminate her. However, the Iraqi government denied that her death was unnatural and withheld details, refraining from sharing further information.
The story of “Jojo’s” passing remains shrouded in mystery and unresolved, but it was neither the first nor the last. Just a few months later, another Iraqi transgender woman known as “Semsem” was stabbed to death in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate. The case remains filed against unknown perpetrators.
The tragic endings of both “Semsem” and “Jojo” echo the stories of many other transgender individuals who lost their lives as victims of a society that denied and seeks to forget them—perhaps as a way of escaping the truth and avoiding “shame.”
In May, while the case of “Jojo” in Iraq sparked debates and discussions on social media, a transgender woman was murdered in Lebanon without receiving news coverage commensurate with the gravity of the crime. Her body was found on the coastal road in the Dora area, drenched in blood after being stabbed multiple times.
Syria: What If the Family Colluded with the Authorities?
On July 27, the Adana LGBT platform reported that a Syrian transgender woman was killed by members of armed factions controlling the northwestern region of Syria, in collaboration with her own family. This occurred after she was deported there by the Turkish government.
The organization, which referred to the victim using the initials “M.A,” stated that she had been deported from Turkey after being targeted by racist groups.
LGBTQIA+ refugees in the region face an increasing risk of violent violations, including murder, often at the hands of extremists and criminal gangs, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In Georgia, one of the most well-known transgender women was killed just one day after the country’s parliament passed an anti-LGBTQIA+ bill. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that it was investigating a “premeditated murder committed with particular cruelty and under aggravated circumstances related to gender.”
In Israel, last year, the police faced protests and accusations of negligence following the murder of a young lesbian from the Druze community by members of her own family. The protests condemned the police’s failure to act, urging them to fulfill their role in combating gender-based violence and crime.
In conclusion, the responsibility of governments is clear when it comes to addressing incidents of violence based on the victim’s gender identity, which can sometimes lead to murder. This responsibility includes enacting gender-sensitive laws, combating hate speech, prosecuting perpetrators of violence, and regulating the media’s discourse to ensure accountability and protection for vulnerable individuals.
