Shunned and shamed, Pakistan’s trans community finally gets help for TB

Often forced into sex work, trans people are at higher risk of tuberculosis but face abuse when they seek treatment. Now screening and outreach work are helping tackle the disease

Two years ago, Honey developed a persistent cough but was afraid to go to the doctor. Experience had taught her she was likely to face abuse and insults from other patients and their relatives at health clinics. And at best, staff would ignore her and she would be forced to wait until all other patients had been seen, even those who had arrived after her.

The transgender community in Rawalpindi, the twin city adjacent to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, is tightly knit and isolated. It has its own language and traditions that create a network of friends to replace the family relationships that have been lost – many of its members have been rejected and ostracised by their relatives and communities.