Transsexual calls for acceptance<\/p>\n
Tatik Chusniyati, Contributor, Malang<\/p>\n
Jangan Lihat Kelaminku! Suara Hati Seorang Waria<\/p>\n
(Don't look at my genitals! Conscience of a transsexual)<\/p>\n
Merlyn Sopjan<\/p>\n
Galang Press, April 2005<\/p>\n
205 pp<\/p>\n
The general public is still uncomfortable with the presence of
\ntranssexuals, who are often stereotyped as useless, a social
\noutcast who exists merely to satiate sexual desire.<\/p>\n
Because of this marginalization, transsexuals tend to
\nestablish their own communities.<\/p>\n
Merlyn Sopjan, a transsexual and a graduate of the National
\nInstitute of Technology in Malang, East Java, has lashed out with
\nher indictment over the way a transsexual is usually treated in
\nsociety in her autobiography, Jangan Lihat Kelaminku! Suara Hati
\nSeorang Waria (Don't look at my genitals! Conscience of a
\ntranssexual). As a transsexual, she wants to be appreciated like
\nother human beings. A transsexual is no different from other
\npeople, and have the same feelings and are physically and
\nintellectually no different, she says.<\/p>\n
Merlyn, now chairman of the Malang branch of the Association
\nof Transsexuals, proved her point when she was named Queen of
\nTranssexuals in 1995; and 2003, when she ran in the Malang
\nmayoral election and was one of the top legislative candidates
\nnominated by the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party, Malang.<\/p>\n
Also a social activist, Merlyn has been appointed by Family
\nHealth International as a partner in raising HIV\/AIDS awareness
\nin Greater Malang, for which she was conferred and honorary
\ndoctorate by Northern California Global University.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Merlyn is to represent Indonesia in an upcoming
\nworld transsexual pageant.<\/p>\n
All these comprise proud achievements that underline Merlyn's
\npoint that a transsexual, just like other people, have ambitions,
\nideals and aspirations. She thus regrets that some people still
\nsegregate transsexuals in society.<\/p>\n
Physically, Merlyn is beautiful, stylish and elegant, although
\nher Adam's apple is still prominent, and she is a polite and
\ngentle woman. Unsurprisingly, many men have fallen in love with
\nher, and she has been in at least seven relationships.<\/p>\n
As with many women, Merlyn has not been lucky in love. She was
\nonce in love with an ex, Nino, who left her to marry another
\nwoman, a classmate from his university days.<\/p>\n
Yet, Merlyn has tried to be strong. \"Perhaps I will always
\nlove you, not because there is no one else that I could love, but
\nbecause I only want to love you. When night falls, let me be the
\ndarkness so that you can feel that it is this darkness that makes
\na perfect night. And without me, you, too, will be in a void.\"
\n(p. 26)<\/p>\n
As with any human being, Merlyn wants to love and be loved. If
\npossible, she wants to get married one day. \"It is my longing to
\nbe in someone's possession, Boy. I realize that I need love in my
\nlife.\" (\"Letter Five\", p. 115)<\/p>\n
Deep inside, however, Merlyn realizes that a marriage between
\na transsexual and a man is impossible in Indonesia, and she has
\ntried to be realistic and accept this fact. Still, as she has
\nsaid so in a discussion of her autobiography, she was slightly
\ndisappointed that a marriage law on this issue had yet to be
\ndrafted here.<\/p>\n
Merlyn reveals all in her autobiography, which is based on her
\ndiary, the book stands testimony to the struggle that Merlyn has
\nfaced in her effort to gain proper respect as a human being --
\nand not to be judged only on the basis of her (im)perfect
\ngenitals. Even without perfect genitals, she writes, life will
\ncontinue as long as you breathe, and as long as you live, you
\nwill continue to create.<\/p>\n
Jangan Lihat Kelaminku! Suara Hati Seorang Waria, the true
\nstory of one transsexual's experience, is expected to open the
\ndoor of tolerance in the hearts of those who generally frown upon
\nthe existence of a transsexual.<\/p>\n
Nothing is perfect in this world, and no one is perfect,
\neither. As Merlyn stresses in her introduction, we are all His
\ncreations, born with many limitations.<\/p>\n
The reviewer is an observer of social affairs and lives in
\nMalang.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transsexual-calls-for-acceptance-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}