Marvia Malik, Pakistan’s first-ever transgender TV news anchor, narrowly escaped an attempted assassination by two gunmen on Friday. The gunmen opened fire on her in the early hours of the morning. Malik’s presence on television has caused controversy in Pakistan, where homosexuality is illegal, and she had received several threatening phone calls prior to the attack due to her position as an activist for LGBTQ+ rights.
After returning home from a nearby pharmacy, Malik narrowly avoided the gunfire from the two assailants, who have yet to be found. Following the attack, Malik told police that her activism was a “major factor” behind the assassination attempt. She has since moved away from Lahore for her own safety.
Prior to appearing on Kohenoor TV as a news anchor, Malik gained attention after becoming the first transgender model at a fashion show. Upon making the transition to news reporting, Malik received a surprising amount of support from viewers, despite the controversy surrounding her presence on television.
However, LGBTQ+ rights in Pakistan are still severely outdated, with homosexuality being outlawed and conversion therapy commonly practiced. Despite this, transgender and non-binary identities are legal, and self-ID has been available since 2018. Malik’s story is representative of the importance of trans people, and she believes that if she can make it in fashion or media, then the community is “important in other fields too.”
In a country where violence against marginalized groups is not uncommon, Malik’s survival is a testament to the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in Pakistan. The attempted assassination highlights the urgent need for greater protection of LGBTQ+ people and activists in the country, and the need for progress towards greater acceptance and inclusion of all marginalized communities.