Transsexuals see both sides of life<\/p>\n
Adrian Smith and Dewi Kurniawati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
You see them at the side of the road, shadowy, statuesque
\nfigures lit up by car headlights: They are one of the haunting
\nspectacles of Jakarta's nightscape.<\/p>\n
For many, this is as good as it gets; the only ephemeral,
\ndetached encounter one has with transgenders and as a
\nconsequence, their identity is all too readily associated with
\nbeing marginalized.<\/p>\n
In Indonesian, the blanket term for transgenders is waria,
\npart wanita (woman), part pria (man). It refers
\nto varying degrees of gender disorientation, from those who dress
\nup for performance only, occasionally dress up (transvestites),
\nto those who live and feel like the opposite gender
\n(transsexuals).<\/p>\n
Considered neither fully male or female, they are often
\nreferred to in Indonesia as the \"third sex\".<\/p>\n
Today, some waria are coming into the mainstream.<\/p>\n
In July this year, 29-year-old Jenny Stavia, alias Avi, won an
\nMTV award for best model in a music video. Her presence in
\nPossesif, performed by local pop group Naif, was unusual,
\nalluring and challenging.<\/p>\n
The video captures the rituals that assist her daily
\ntransformation to face the outside world; showering, shaving,
\ndressing and becoming someone else.<\/p>\n
Born Joko Suwito, Avi counts her blessings.<\/p>\n
\"I am lucky with my glamorous looks. Adjie Notonegoro, the
\nfamous designer, took me on as a model in the early 1990s and
\nsince then I've performed regularly at shows, contests and on TV.
\nWith fame, people now acknowledge me more as a model rather than
\nas a waria\".<\/p>\n
Her accomplishments do not stem simply from her physique
\nthough. \"I have to thank my understanding family and close
\nrelationship with God for my well-being and positive attitude to
\nlife.\"<\/p>\n
Entertainment and performance often call to waria, and it is
\nstill one of the few areas of professional life where waria are
\ntolerated in the country.<\/p>\n
\"I guess it is all part of my identity as a waria. If I had
\nbeen born a woman, I would be working in an office. I wouldn't be
\nin entertainment,\" Avi said.<\/p>\n
She appears regularly with The Silver Boys, a popular group of
\nperforming waria, whose shows are a glamorous mix of dance,
\ncomedy and impersonation.<\/p>\n
\"During the past several years we have been able to perform
\non TV and at an increasing number of venues, not just in Jakarta
\nbut all over Indonesia,\" troupe leader Tata Dado said.<\/p>\n
It hasn't all been plain pandering though.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, we do encounter difficulties and stigma from time to
\ntime, but we have become more experienced at avoiding
\nconfrontation. I have also realized that if you just carry on
\nwith what you are doing, after a while people just give up having
\na go at you,\" Tata added.<\/p>\n
Other professions, such as beauticians, the fashion and film
\nindustry, are more accepting of waria.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, rare exceptions to the rule. \"I know
\nsomeone who works at a bank -- he is the one and only. At first,
\nthe bank wouldn't let him dress up as a woman, but now he does.
\nHe is the only man there with makeup on!\" Avi said.<\/p>\n
However, with many jobs closed to them, many waria become sex
\nworkers, exposed to the danger of diseases and harassment by the
\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mamoto Gultom, a specialist in male sexual health, gets to
\nsee firsthand how the other half live. \"Most of my patients are
\nyoung sex workers who are confused, vulnerable and under a great
\ndeal of stress\".<\/p>\n
According to Dede Oetomo, professor of linguistics at
\nAirlangga University in Surabaya and a gay activist, many waria
\nare beaten and treated harshly, though they are generally
\ntolerated in Indonesian households as long as they can earn money
\non a regular basis.<\/p>\n
It is this combination of economic and cultural factors that
\nmore often than not conspire to complicate the waria identity.<\/p>\n
\"I realize I can't be like this forever. That is why 10 years
\nfrom now I intend to lead a 'normal' life, be a 'normal' guy, get
\nmarried to a woman and have babies,\" said one member of The
\nSilver Boys, Zaenab, 25.<\/p>\n
In the face of such odds, Avi expressed a blunt opinion. \"I
\nwouldn't like the idea of my own child being a waria because the
\nworld is cruel to them.\"<\/p>",
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