'I want to be like Mother Theresa'
Dorce Gamalama has looked at life from both sides now -- and likes it better as a woman. The country's most famous transsexual is also known for a full-range singing voice and a ribald humor. Orphaned as an infant and raised by her grandmother, the 37 year old runs three foundations for disadvantaged children. She told The Jakarta Post's Bruce Emond that if people don't like you because you are different, then it's their problem.
Q: What would you be doing now if you had the choice?
A: Personally, I'm not really interested in doing something for myself. But more for my people, so that the world doesn't look at the bad side of Indonesia. I don't want to be a protester in a demonstration, but I'd like to be helping those who have experienced disasters in this country.
Q: What makes you tick?
A: It's not different from what I just said, to help others. I would like to be like Mother Theresa. I don't have money -- all I have is my love. I want to help everyone, from every level, from the rich to the poor, of every religion, the lepers and people with AIDS. Mother Theresa was a devout Catholic but she helped everyone regardless of who they were. I look up to her so much.
Q: What characteristics do you like about yourself?
A: I always want to help people, even if I don't have the money ...
Q: And dislike?
A: I'm often late, sometimes even for prayer. But I'm always trying to improve my behavior.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: That I can make people happy. That I can change the views of those who regard me with disgust, and say to them "look I'm like this, you are like that, why can't we just live together?"
Q: What do you most regret?
A: I've never regretted anything in my life, even that I had to change my sex to the person I really was, a woman ... I only regret that I was never able to give anything to my parents, because my mother died when I was three months and my father when I was one year.
Q: Who do you most admire?
A: Mother Theresa, for her humanitarianism. And Princess Diana, a beautiful woman who cared so much for other people ...
Q: What do you like to wear?
A: Muslim fashion. I don't want to wear anything that shows my underarm hair, let alone my belly-button!
Q: Do you worry about your weight?
A: No, I'm never going to diet to death. But I'm 37, so I've got to watch how much fat I eat.
Q: What makes you angry?
A: If I'm lied to. Dishonesty.
Q: What characteristics of others do you dislike?
A: Hypocrisy. People who talk a lot but don't do anything. It's a broad definition, like in religion those people who don't pray but say they are devout.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: When I watch the people in the House of Representatives in a debate, and you see one of them snoring, sleeping on the public's payroll. Ketoprak Humor is funny, but so is the House!
Q: What makes you cry?
A: When I'm alone and I think of my parents, or my family. And when I wonder who will take care of my legacy, my foundation, when I die.
Q: What do you always carry with you?
A: A small bag and a small Koran to keep me in line.
Q: What are your bad habits?
A: I'm impulsive. When I want to do something, it has to be now. I don't want to know about the problems, I just want it done.
Q: What would you like to change about your appearance?
A: Nothing, I'm grateful for what I got from God. I know I committed a great sin by changing my sex, but I believe He will forgive me for believing in Him as one god.
Q: Would you ever consider having plastic surgery?
A: No, then I'd look like Krisdayanti. Michael Jackson and Krisdayanti are already enough for the world. She's beautiful enough for all of us.
Q: What is the most irritating thing about life?
A: Oh, there are lots of things, but I just get on with it.
Q: Is there anything that cannot be forgiven?
A: I don't have a hard heart like that. I'm always open. I have an uncle who hated me, but I just kept smiling at him, here I am, this is me. And now I've paid for him to go on the pilgrimage. And I take the example of Prophet Muhammad, who dealt with nonbelievers who spat at him, insulted him, threw camel dung at him, but he didn't react. He was serene.
Q: Is it better to live as a man or woman?
A: For me, it's as a woman. And my path was always as a woman. What's more for business, it's better for me as an entertainer, because you see more women in shows than men!
Q: How do you want to be remembered?
A: I want to be remembered as a good person. I wouldn't want to be known as someone who did a notorious thing.