I mistakenly used ‘transgender’ while referring to ‘third gender’: Milon

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has clarified the context in which he used the word “transgender” during a recent event and corrected his choice of words following criticism over the remarks.

The minister said he had inadvertently used the term “transgender” when he intended to refer to the “third gender”.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday, the education minister said, “I would like to correct a word I used in my remarks at a recent event and clarify the context of my statement. At the event, a student from the third-gender community received a degree. While welcoming the student’s achievement, I spoke about encouraging people from the third-gender community to pursue education.”

“Many of them face neglect, discrimination and negative attitudes in society. The main point of my remarks was to highlight their efforts to overcome these barriers and pursue education,” he added.

Correcting his earlier choice of words, the minister said, “While speaking, I inadvertently used the word ‘transgender’ when referring to the ‘third gender’. The term I intended to use was ‘third gender’.”

Concluding his Facebook post, the minister said he respects the religious values and sentiments of the people of the country.

“The purpose of my remarks that day was to encourage educational opportunities for people from the third-gender community and recognise their academic achievements,” he said.