Maya Chew

The LGBTQ+ community in Malaysia is often portrayed negatively given the political exertion for conformity to cisheteronormativity, i.e. subscription to traditional gender norms where sex, sexuality, and gender identities are perceived to be immutable. Consequently, persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans women, is widespread and often sensationalized in the media. Trans women, being highly visible, endure significant stigmatisation, particularly those lacking the means to integrate into society, including limited access to trans healthcare, income, shelter, and legal assistance. This research draws from intersectionality and decolonial epistemologies in the understanding of non-normative gender identities and variations of cultural gerontology. Set against the backdrop of a complex and challenging Malaysian sociopolitical climate, the research will delve into the questions of how we define normativity and how these definitions influence the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically trans women, in Malaysia.