Malaysians Win Right to Cross-Dress

Three Malaysian Muslim transgender people have won a landmark ruling after challenging a religious law banning them from cross-dressing, a decision activists are calling a victory for human rights in the conservative Muslim-majority country. A three-judge panel ruled that the Shariah law in Negeri Sembilan state that criminalizes any man who dresses or poses as a woman is unconstitutional. The judges said the law deprives transgenders of "the right to live with dignity." A lower court had dismissed the case, saying the three plaintiffs must adhere to Islamic law because they are Muslim and born male. The state's Islamic Religious Department can still appeal the ruling to the top federal court.