Malaysian transgender rights activist Nisha Ayub was honoured in San Diego, California, when the mayor Kevin L Faulconer declared April 5 as ‘Nisha Ayub Day’ in recognition for her work.

Nisha, who celebrates her birthday on the same day, last month became the first transgender person to win the International Women of Courage Award.

In a Facebook posting, Nisha said San Diego presented her with the Jose Sarria Civil Rights Award.

“I could not believe it; it was like a dream for me,” she said.

Nisha said her hosts in San Diego also presented her with a birthday cake during the award ceremony, presided by city commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez.

“I am so blessed and honoured,” she said.

This comes as a transgender woman faces syariah charges for allegedly “spreading vice” during a closed-door fundraiser at a Kuala Lumpur hotel raided by the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Department last weekend.

The authorities also arrested human rights lawyer Siti Kassim.

Last year, Nisha was assaulted by two men unknown to her on her way to work, sustaining injuries to her ankle and leg.

She, however, affirmed that her work as an advocate "will never stop until my last breath".

The transgender community in Malaysia suffered another blow last year when the Federal Court upheld a Negri Sembilan syariah law banning cross-dressing.