KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 ― US city San Diego has named April 5 “Nisha Ayub Day” after the Malaysian transgender activist who won an award of courage from the American government.
Nisha also said she was given another award, the International Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award which celebrates the work of those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, from City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez.
“Today is the most shocking day for me when the Mayor Of the City Of San Diego California Kevin L. Faulconer officially made today 5th April as Nisha Ayub Day in San Diego,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
“I could not believe it as it was like a dream for me. A day was made for me in San Diego and it's also my birthday,” Nisha added.
The proclamation of the Nisha Ayub Day cited Nisha’s receipt of the 2016 US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award and noted that the trans woman continues to fight for transgender rights, despite repeated arrests for dressing as a woman.
“Nisha Ayub continues to fight for the equality and protection of all people in her country and beyond its borders,” said the proclamation by Faulconer yesterday.
In a 2014 article, LGBT website The Advocate touted San Diego as a “major force” in LGBT activism in recent years, noting that California’s second-largest city is also home to some openly gay elected representatives.
The US’ recognition of Nisha comes even as the transgender community faces arrests from religious authorities in Malaysia, with the Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI) raiding a private dinner function held by trans women last Sunday.
