I just stumbled onto an interesting video on the CNN.com website about Pakistan using transgender tax collectors to embarrass tax cheats.
The video can be found here. (Sorry, I can't figure out a way to embed it.)
Apparently Pakistan only collects about 1% of the total potential tax revenue that is available and so the government has come up with a unique way to get the missing money.
I am deeply conflicted about this. On one hand I admire the strength of these women to be openly transgendered in a society that does not accept it. And one where death is probably far more likely.
On the other hand I'm not that keen on the government's willingness to use that fear to it's advantage. And I suspect this puts these women in even more danger. No one likes the taxman to begin with, but having that taxman actually being a transgendered woman threatening to hang out and ruin your business is just bad all around. Dangerous to her as well as treating her like some sort of freak.
Sorry for the short diary. I just thought this was fascinating and wanted to share it.