Talk about transvestites

Talk about transvestites

SEMARANG, Central Java: The Muhammadiyah Moslem organization is calling on religious leaders, psychologists, medical practitioners and the public at large to discuss the role of transvestites in society, Antara reported yesterday.

The agency quoted Munawar Sholeh, secretary of the organization's Central Java chapter, as saying that Islam teaches that God creates only men and women. Transvestites, he said, deviate from this because they are men who feel like women.

He said that the transvestite beauty pageant that is to be held here next month could have a negative outcome since feminine beauty will be the measure of the men's success.

He called for a seminar to discuss the role of transvestites in society. "Results from the seminar could help us decide how to tackle the problem," Munawar said.

Munawar suggested that special rehabilitation centers could possibly be set up to help correct the "mental state" of transvestites. (14)