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Photos: The hair salon changing how transgenders are seen in Pakistan

Bebo Haider's beauty parlour is bright, small, and decorated sparsely with three large photographs: transgender models who became her clients because the Karachi salon is one of the few in Pakistan which caters to them without judgement. Tarawah, in a middle-class neighbourhood of the sprawling southern port city, is owned and run by Haider, herself a transgender person who came to Karachi in 2003 from a small rural town in southern Sindh province with dreams of becoming a beautician.

Updated on: Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM IST

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Bebo Haider at her beauty parlour in Karachi. Even when the owner of one salon first decided to take a chance on Haider, clients refused her services -- or to return her greetings. It took two years before one regular finally returned her hello, she said -- but the thaw, for that customer at least, was complete. “After that day she would not get her hair and makeup done by anybody else,” Haider told AFP, sitting in her hairdressing chair. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

Bebo Haider at her beauty parlour in Karachi. Even when the owner of one salon first decided to take a chance on Haider, clients refused her services -- or to return her greetings. It took two years before one regular finally returned her hello, she said -- but the thaw, for that customer at least, was complete. “After that day she would not get her hair and makeup done by anybody else,” Haider told AFP, sitting in her hairdressing chair. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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Bebo Haider at home. Last year, Pakistan’s parliament passed a historic bill providing transgender people with the right to determine their own gender identity in all official documents, including choosing a blend of both genders. But many still live daily as pariahs, often reduced to begging and prostitution, subjected to extortion and discrimination or targeted for violence. Haider fought hard to avoid that fate. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

Bebo Haider at home. Last year, Pakistan’s parliament passed a historic bill providing transgender people with the right to determine their own gender identity in all official documents, including choosing a blend of both genders. But many still live daily as pariahs, often reduced to begging and prostitution, subjected to extortion and discrimination or targeted for violence. Haider fought hard to avoid that fate. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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Once she gained a foothold with her first job, she grew politically active, joining trans rights organisations and eventually becoming the president of Sabrang, one community group. When a Dutch organisation said it wanted to finance a project to empower the trans community, she and a partner jumped on the chance to open their own salon -- which, they say, is the first transgender owned and run beauty salon in Pakistan. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

Once she gained a foothold with her first job, she grew politically active, joining trans rights organisations and eventually becoming the president of Sabrang, one community group. When a Dutch organisation said it wanted to finance a project to empower the trans community, she and a partner jumped on the chance to open their own salon -- which, they say, is the first transgender owned and run beauty salon in Pakistan. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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“When we would sit along the ladies at the parlour, they would feel nervous, confused and even feel repulsive of us. (But) we are also human beings,” said Mahi Doll, a 21-year client of Tarawah. Judged, harassed or even denied entry at other salons, Tarawah Doll says, is more than just a safe space for customers to get their hair and make-up done. “This is a symbol of transgender empowerment,” she said. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

“When we would sit along the ladies at the parlour, they would feel nervous, confused and even feel repulsive of us. (But) we are also human beings,” said Mahi Doll, a 21-year client of Tarawah. Judged, harassed or even denied entry at other salons, Tarawah Doll says, is more than just a safe space for customers to get their hair and make-up done. “This is a symbol of transgender empowerment,” she said. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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The salon is in a crowded market, surrounded by grocery and milk shops. When Haider first opened it, she said, neighbours were so hostile that she felt afraid. “I would wear tough looks when I came to the shop so that people would not dare to mess with me,” she said. She warned her clients to dress conservatively, and deployed the strategy which had worked so well before: good manners. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

The salon is in a crowded market, surrounded by grocery and milk shops. When Haider first opened it, she said, neighbours were so hostile that she felt afraid. “I would wear tough looks when I came to the shop so that people would not dare to mess with me,” she said. She warned her clients to dress conservatively, and deployed the strategy which had worked so well before: good manners. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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Bebo Haider (R) speaks with Mohammad Akram (L). “Whenever she sees us, she greets us with a good heart and she meets with everybody pleasantly,” said Akram, the 40-year-old owner of a milk shop next to the salon. “We are not concerned with what their gender is,” he added. Haider and other activists helping her hope the salon is just the first step on the road to economic empowerment for their community. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

Bebo Haider (R) speaks with Mohammad Akram (L). “Whenever she sees us, she greets us with a good heart and she meets with everybody pleasantly,” said Akram, the 40-year-old owner of a milk shop next to the salon. “We are not concerned with what their gender is,” he added. Haider and other activists helping her hope the salon is just the first step on the road to economic empowerment for their community. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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Today, people who identify as transgender number at least half a million in Pakistan, according to several studies -- possibly up to two million, say TransAction, a rights organisation. “Awareness has started to spread now among the people that we can do (respectable) works also,” Haider said, describing initiatives such as her salon as a “practical way” of normalising transgenders in Pakistan. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

Today, people who identify as transgender number at least half a million in Pakistan, according to several studies -- possibly up to two million, say TransAction, a rights organisation. “Awareness has started to spread now among the people that we can do (respectable) works also,” Haider said, describing initiatives such as her salon as a “practical way” of normalising transgenders in Pakistan. (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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During AFP’s visit, client Mahi Doll perched in a black reclining chair to have her hair shampooed and treated, then a manicure. Haider then began doing Doll’s make-up to match Haider’s own. “The eye makeup is the essence,” she explained. After finishing Doll’s eyes, Haider turned back to her own reflection, reviewing herself in the mirror. “Do I look good?” she said softly, apparently to herself. “I am beautiful. Am I not?” (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

Updated on Nov 29, 2019 3:19 PM

During AFP’s visit, client Mahi Doll perched in a black reclining chair to have her hair shampooed and treated, then a manicure. Haider then began doing Doll’s make-up to match Haider’s own. “The eye makeup is the essence,” she explained. After finishing Doll’s eyes, Haider turned back to her own reflection, reviewing herself in the mirror. “Do I look good?” she said softly, apparently to herself. “I am beautiful. Am I not?” (Rizwan Tabassum / AFP)

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