“What Western courts often fail to appreciate, the religious courts of Yemen found plain as day.
Aden, May 8 – A religious court established today that Islamic Law accepts as women those biological men who identify as women, and as such, those men-cum-women may not vote, own property, leave the house unaccompanied by a male chaperone, drive, or say no to sex. Trans rights groups hailed the decision as an important affirmation of their central thesis.
The Central Shariah Court of the Republic of Yemen issued its ruling in a civil case involving a trans woman from Britain who sought recognition of that status instead of the one documented since birth. The court overturned a lower Shariah authority verdict that had found Sheila Wudgewick may not go by that name but must adhere to the male sex he had until three years ago, when Geoffrey decided to become Sheila. With the ruling, the upper Shariah court confirmed that under Islamic Law, trans women are women for all intents and purposes – and as such enjoy none of the rights and protections assigned to men under Shariah.
Progressive organizations praised to decision, calling it a landmark victory in the global struggle for trans rights. “We welcome this ruling,” stated trans activist Ari Drenen. “What Western courts often fail to appreciate, the religious courts of Yemen found plain as day. We urge our own legal authorities to follow suit.”
Drenen noted other areas in which, broadly speaking, Shariah authorities agree with progressives, such as support for Palestine. “No wonder the reactionary forces in the west take the positions they do. Trans rights and Palestinian rights are one and the same.”
Following the judgment, Wudgewick was whisked away and imprisoned for walking around outside home without a qualified male chaperone. In prison, Wudgewick can expect daily rape and sexual assault, in keeping with the standards for such facilities throughout Arab and Muslim world. Supporters of trans rights view the development as a critical stepping stone on the way to a more inclusive, progressive world. “Perhaps it will take a stronger influence of Islamic culture to spread the right ideas,” suggested India Willoughby. “We cannot take progress for granted. It requires work. That it why we support continued unrestricted immigration of men – excuse me for assuming their gender – from parts of the world where this court ruling holds sway.”
“We can only hope that sheer numbers will force our own courts to change its own recent, shameful attitude,” Willoughby added. “Perhaps in the meantime I will move to Yemen to experience what a truly inclusive society is.”
Please support – our work through Patreon.
Buy In The Biblical Sense: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92QYWSL
Fabulous Facebook Comments!
Glorious Google+ Comments!
Wordpress Comments