Prominent social activist Marina Mahathir brushed aside the possibility of backlash from the religious authorities against the LGBT community following transgender rights activist Nisha Ayub winning several awards overseas.
"Well, they (the religious authorities) are never going to get any awards for anything, right? So, too bad.
"Nisha's a hero," Marina said, when asked by reporters about the possibility of backlash from religious authorities.
This was after she hosted the launch of a colouring book for adults 'Secret Colours of Malaysia' and a charity art auction for NGO Sisters in Islam.
Last month, Nisha became the first transgender person to win the International Women of Courage Award, presented by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Subsequently, earlier this month, San Diego, California mayor Kevin L Faulconer declared April 5 as 'Nisha Ayub Day' - in recognition of her work - which is also her birthday.
She was also presented with the Jose Sarria Civil Rights Award in San Diego.
This comes as a transgender woman faces syariah charges for allegedly “spreading vice” during a closed-door fundraiser at a Kuala Lumpur hotel raided by the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Department, a few days after Nisha received her International Women of Courage Award.
The authorities also arrested human rights lawyer Siti Kassim.
Last year, Nisha was assaulted by two men unknown to her on her way to work, sustaining injuries to her ankle and leg.
She, however, affirmed that her work as an advocate "will never stop until my last breath".
The transgender community in Malaysia suffered another blow last year when the Federal Court upheld a Negri Sembilan syariah law banning cross-dressing. -Mkini
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