In 2010, while we were conducting research and workshops, we met a trans woman from Negeri Sembilan. She shared her legal woes, having just been arrested for the third time because of her gender under the state Syariah criminal law – Section 66. She worried about getting jailed after her friend, recently arrested under the same law, had been sent to prison.

We consulted lawyers, who suggested pursuing a constitutional review…but we needed funds to support the case. This led to brainstorming for a campaign to help.

We launched our campaign, “Justice for Sisters”, with a public event at the Annexe Gallery.

Between 2010 and 2015, we navigated the courts. In 2014, the Court of Appeal declared Section 66 unconstitutional, marking a significant victory.

However, the following year, in 2015, the Federal Court overturned the decision.

Throughout the legal process, we worked with the community to build collective knowledge and safety. We engaged in advocacy and research efforts, raising awareness of the discrimination faced by trans women in Malaysia. These efforts helped increase visibility and understanding.

In 2019, Justice for Sisters, alongside other LGBT groups, supported a constitutional review of Section 28 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment.

In 2021, the Federal Court declared the law unconstitutional.

In 2021, we supported the legal challenge against the “Gay Is OK” book ban.