Found at Pinknews

The ever increasing turbulence of the anti-government protests notwithstanding, a demonstration of a different nature was taking place yesterday in Bangkok.

Unaffiliated to any political party, a group of transgender 'ladyboys' paraded past central Police Headquarters in Bangkok to protest at the lack of AIDS awareness in Thailand.

Glamorously dressed in brightly coloured ball gowns and feathered head-dresses, the group struck a contrasting pose to the increasingly militant demonstrations undertaken by the yellow-shirted PAD supporters across the capital.

The PAD has most recently shut down a second airport in Bangkok, following a string of stunts that have taken place over the last four months in an attempt to cause national chaos and topple the government.

With calls for new elections and a plethora of political factions vying for power, the current landscape looks hopelessly divided between the army and various political groups.

Since gaining independence in 1947, Thailand has experienced an endless upheaval in government.

Until 1992 there was intermittent military rule, a period characterised by coups, coup attempts and popular protests.

But despite its instability, the Buddhist country has always been seen as liberal when it comes to LGBT issues.

Though not officially supporting same-sex unions, the LGBT community there is considered one of the most free and open in the world.

As well as holding transgender beauty pageants, trans actors play key roles in Thai movies and soap operas.

Transgender figures are also seen in department cosmetics counters, popular restaurants, cabaret shows and in the famous red-light district.

While observers hope the increasingly fraught situation in the country will end peaceably, the ladyboys, with their stylish parade of singing and dancing showed the world how peaceful yet fabulous protest is all about.

Found at Pinknews

Technorati:thailand ladyboy protest crisis politics katoey katoy thai bangkok

LGBT Organization 'Labrys' commemorated the day by lighting candles at Ala-Too square in Bishkek.



Technorati: Kyrgyzstan Transgender Remembrance Day transsexual video

She`s cool and pretty motivating.

Check out the video:



Technorati: Canis Cayne transgender transsexual actress

Found at AP

Swedish health officials say they will remove transvestism, fetishism and sadomasochism from the country's official list of diseases and mental disorders.

The National Board of Welfare says labeling those aspects of sexual behavior and gender identity as disorders can add to prejudices in society. Gay and transgender rights activists welcomed this week's decision.

The board's director Lars-Erik Holm says he will raise the issue internationally when the World Health Organization starts the process of renewing its classifications.

Found at AP

Technorati: sweden transvestite transgender transsexual rights classification

Found at Jakarta Post

Dozens of transgender people in Yogyakarta on Wednesday commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance, which falls every Nov. 20, by distributing stickers and flowers to people passing by the Yogyakarta post office on Jl. Malioboro.

Coordinator of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual (LGBT) group, Shinta Ratri, said the group's aim was to reduce the negative public perception of the LGBT community.

"We call on all institutions and people to stop discrimination against LBGTs," Shinta said.

During the commemorations, members of the group also presented roadside art performances.

Shinta said members of the group were protected under the human rights law, which states that all people are regarded as individuals and protected by the state.

Ironically, the group claims, the government has yet to take real action to protect the LGBT community.

Found at Jakarta Post

Technorati: indonesia transvestite transgender transsexual rights justice Shinta Ratri

Found at Transgender News

Transsexuals should be allowed to change their legal gender without undergoing a sex-change operation, South Korea’s rights watchdog said Monday, suggesting the Supreme Court amend its transgender guidelines.

The top court’s guidelines stipulate that transsexual people have to have sex reassignment surgery in order to officially change their gender.

The guidelines were made in 2006 to maintain judicial consistency amid concerns that rulings had varied according to judges’ social leanings since the first case for a male-to-female transsexual person was approved in 2002.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said such court guidelines, however, overlook the expenses and health risks transsexual people have to bear for surgery.

“A sex reassignment surgery is very expensive, and its results sometimes can have fatal effects on one’s health. Considering those concerns, it is too excessive a demand for the judiciary to require surgery, while there can be other medical methods for sexual transition, like hormone therapy,” Yoon Seol-ah, the commission spokesperson, said.

A 2006 survey by the rights commission suggests many transsexual people live in poverty due to prejudice and discrimination. Their monthly income averaged 700,000 won (US$497), it found, while a sex-change operation costs up to 100 million won.

No official data exist, but the commission assumes there are about 4,500 people in South Korea who identify with a physical gender different from the one with which they were born. Those who have had gender reassignment surgery number 300 to 400.

The watchdog also said other guidelines, such as requiring applicants to be 20 or older and unmarried, or to have finished the military service or be exempt from it, violate their human rights and should be abolished.

“Their lives will be better off if their gender gets changed early and their identity forms early,” Yoon said.

The watchdog also said judges should rule over transsexual cases with legislation rather than the top court guidelines and suggested that the National Assembly speaker establish a special law on the issue.

Found at Transgender News

Technorati: transsexual transgender korea rights change legal

Found at Global Voices

After California voters passed the proposition to ban gay marriage in the state, gay and transgender rights is back on the headlines in America. While the debate rages on there, Nepal - a faraway country, much smaller and often ignored on the world stage is now being looked upon as an example on how to handle the gay and transgender rights issue.

On November 17th Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a historic ruling which grants protection to gays, lesbians and transgender community in the country. It also open doors for gay marriage rights and end all discriminatory laws.

At Towleroad commentators expressed their support for Nepal’s decision. John in California notes the country’s Supreme Court ruling and also changes happening in Asia regarding sexual minorities and transgender rights.

“I don't think we'll see much momentum on gay issues in the Middle East and Africa beyond what has already happened in Israel and South Africa…… I think the gay rights movement of the 21st century will be fought in these two areas of the world. Aside from this great ruling in Nepal, we've seen some encouraging signs Asians are finally willing to talk about sexuality.”

Efforts of a Nepali gay rights group is also being discussed by bloggers, especially the fact that the group-Blue Diamond Society’s founder Sunil Pant is the only openly gay member of Nepal’s Constitutional Assembly. PinkNews UK quotes Mr. Pant’s reaction to the ruling

“Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world.”

Nepal’s efforts are having effects in neighboring countries too, especially India. Transgender rights activists in city of Bangalore (now called Bengaluru) are looking at changes in Nepal and hope that the city police’s campaign against sexual minorities would end soon.

“Police from Banashakari Police Station (Bengaluru City) verbally abused and assaulted (physically and sexually) 40 plus human rights defenders and sexual minorities when they questioned the illegal detention of 5 hijras (transgenders) by Girinagar Police station on 20th October, 2008.”

Interestingly, the question about religion has not affected gay rights debate in Nepal. The country is majority Hindu, with Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and indigenous population making up about 10% of the population. Some attribute this to the lack of rigid hierarchy or leadership structure in Hinduism.

“In 2004, Hinduism Today reporter Rajiv Malik asked several Hindu swamis (teachers) their opinion of same-sex marriage. The swamis expressed a range of opinions, positive and negative. They felt free to differ with each other…..made possible by the fact that Hinduism has no one hierarchy or leader. As Mahant Ram Puri remarked, “We do not have a rule book in Hinduism. We have a hundred million authorities.”

Ancient Hindu texts like the Mahabharta have transgender characters that did not face discrimination from the society and even Lord Krishna was fond of cross dressing to please his beloved.

Found at Global Voices

Technorati: transsexual transgender nepal rights

Found at Bianet

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual (LGBTT) Rights Platform held an activity in Kızılay, Ankara and protested the death of Dilek İnce, who was killed by a gun attack.

After İnce’s funeral, a group of about hundred people marched down the Yüksel Street wearing shrouds and protesting the hate killings against the member of the LGBTTs.
“We do not know who is next”

Reading the press release on behalf of the group, Serra Can asked, “how long are you going to watch our getting killed by fueling homophobic and transphobic hatred.”

Stating that İnci was killed by the hetero-sexist hatred, Can said, “We are sad and angry, because we have come here from the cemetery. We are angry, because we do not know which one of our gay and transsexual friend is next.”

“Who killed transsexual İnce at the Capitol by a pump-gun and will they be caught? Who killed gay Ahmet Yılda by a gun and why the Istanbul police has not found the killers yet? Who forced gay Ege Tanyürek to suicide in Adıyaman.”
“Prime Minister, is it not a crime to discriminate between the citizens?”

Saying that they are in fear and anxiety, Can called out to the Prime Minister.

“Mister Prime Minister we are asking you if the homosexuals and transsexuals are not citizens. Is it not a crime to discriminate between the citizens? We are asking you if their killers will be found. Will the prosecutors and the judges quit releasing them because of excessive provocation? We are asking you who will protects our lives and provide our security. We are in fear and anxiety, because we do not know how many homosexuals and transsexuals will the Prime Minister’s citizens who lost their patience kill? We are curious if Mister Prime Minister will create the just and peaceful society by using fear?

Can said the doors their knock to receive justice are not opened to them.

“We have knocked their doors, we have screamed, we have worn shrouds…They kill us just because we are homosexuals, just because we are transsexuals. We seek justice, but we do not get any. It is not much we want; we just don’t want to be killed for out identities of sexual orientation.”

Announcing that “The killing of homosexuals and transsexuals is a political act, we know the killers, the platform leader said, “We will not quit going after these events.”

After the press release was read, the participants marched to the building of the Prime Ministry Human Rights Presidency, clapping their hands and chanting slogans. Demanding the murderers must be caught, they left a symbolic shroud in front of the building.
Her friends and her husband bid farewell to İnce

İnce was killed by a gun shot received at an attack in Etlik, Ankara. More than 70 people, including her friends and her husband, were at the funeral.

Umut Güner of Kaos GL told bianet that despite the belief that the people of LGBTT orientation die alone, İnce was not alone.

Found at Bianet

Technorati: turkey crime transsexual transgender rights LGBTT

Found at HELSINGIN SANOMAT

Olli Aalto, the Lutheran Vicar of Imatra, says that he has struggled with his gender identity for almost all of his 54 years.
The struggle is now coming to an end. Aalto will take a leave of absence at the beginning of 2009, during which time he will undergo surgery and other procedures to become a woman.
Aalto says that the matter has been a cause for concern “ever since I was a little girl”.

“I was three years old when I asked why I didn’t have a skirt, when all the other girls did”, he says.
The vicar has waited until now for gender reassignment out of consideration for his next of kin. His children are adults now, his parents have died, and relationships are no barrier either.
“I have been married twice, and each time I noted that I am not man enough for them.”

The transformation from man to woman begins in the winter.
“This is not a problem of mental health. It has been examined four different times.”
Aalto informed parish workers about his decision a few weeks ago. He says that feedback has been positive, with one exception.
Aalto has served as a vicar for 22 years. Continuing in the post “hangs in the balance”, but in any case, he wants to continue to serve in the Lutheran Church. He insists that he does not want to become “a doormat”.

Aalto decided to come out in public after extensive reflection.
“I decided that because of my position, it would come out at some point”, he says. Aalto wanted to raise discussion and promote understanding about the transgender phenomenon.
“Keeping it a secret and living a double life are terribly heavy burdens.”
Previously, at least one pastor in Southern Finland has undergone a sex change.

Aalto’s decision has sparked conflicting feelings in Imatra and in the leadership of the Lutheran Church.
“The matter has bewildered many, including myself", says Voitto Huotari, the Bishop of Mikkeli.
No decisions have been made on whether or not Huotari can stay on as vicar. There are no legal impediments, but Huotari says that there could be problems.
“It is a question of mental images and attitudes, which could, in a very decisive way, remove the preconditions for working as a pastor”, he says.
Huotari said that he hopes for dispassionate discussion on the Aalto case. He plans to examine the matter when he visits Imatra next week.
A decision on the matter could be left to Huotari’s successor Seppo Häkkinen, who replaces Bishop Huotari in February.

The chairman of the Church Council of Imatra Parish, Antti Jarva, does not think that Aalto can stay on as vicar.
“Personally, and in my own view, I would say that I would find it extremely difficult to work with Mrs. Aalto”, Jarva says.

Found at HELSINGIN SANOMAT

Technorati: finland transgender transsexual news pastor

Found at The Times of India

Following the abduction of an adolescent in a sex-change racket last week, conflicts have sprung up at Dasarahalli where
many transgender groups live.

According to them, the police issued notices to all residents asking them to evict transgender tenants from their houses. The police cited "immoral activities" as the reason behind the eviction notice.

Elarvathi Manohar, founder of Sangama, an organization that works for sexual minorities, said: "The notices were issued on the basis of a single abduction case. But how can you ill-treat so many members of the community like this? The police are defaming transgenders. Already, 50 of them from the area have vacated houses and left. I'm worried about them."

Ramya (name changed), a resident, said around 100 transgenders were residing in the area but only 30 are left. "The police gave three hours to residents to evict the unwanted tenants."

DCP (north east Bangalore), Basavaraj Malgathi, said the police were conducting a survey of children residing with transgenders. "We were counting the number of children. I also got a call from a woman who said the police were trying to evict people. We are not evicting anyone. As part of the recent abduction case, I want to know the details of children and from where they come," he explained.

Found at The Times of India

Technorati: india transgender transsexual Bangalore civil rights

Found at komonews.com

Plenty of politicians reinvent themselves. But none quite like Mayor-elect Stu Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, 60, has been a fixture in Silverton politics for more than 20 years, and had twice before been the mayor of this small city 45 miles south of Portland. Those terms, however, were before the breast implants and before the once-discreet crossdresser started wearing dresses and 3-inch high heels in public.

In a week when America loudly chose its first African-American president, Silverton quietly made Rasmussen the country's first openly transgender mayor, according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that works to help openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people win elected office.
Rasmussen unseated incumbent mayor Ken Hector, with whom he had long clashed — 1,988 votes to 1,512. Because Rasmussen's appearance is no secret, it was policy issues that dominated the campaign.

"I've blackmail-proofed myself," said Rasmussen.

The story of Rasmussen's election was first reported by JustOut, a bimonthly publication for Portland's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

"Stu never sought this recognition out," said Stephen Marc Beaudoin, the reporter who broke the story. "He's interested in doing a great job for the community that he loves. The gender identity thing is just a total backseat thing."

That comes across when Rasmussen speaks in his decidedly masculine voice. Though he dresses more like Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Rasmussen describes himself with a word assigned to Todd Palin.

"I am a dude," he said. "I am a heterosexual male who appears to be a female."

His longtime live-in girlfriend, Victoria Sage, told The Oregonian newspaper that she and Rasmussen have been an item for almost 35 years.

"I heard a quote, and I don't know who said it but I think it's fabulous, that Silverton is a place where Mennonites and transvestites can get along," she said.

The quote rang true when two cowboys came across the new mayor on a downtown sidewalk. "Good job, Stu," one of them said to the man wearing a leather skirt and maroon stockings.

"Congratulations, Mr. Mayor," called the other.

Found at komonews.com

Technorati: usa oregon transgender transsexual mayor politics

Thailand’s international transgender beauty pageant this year has to be postponed to 2009 as the ongoing political standoff in Bangkok continues to keep visitors away.



What would you do if your beautiful dream got squashed in a battle between two political elephants?

If you were Kangsadan Wongdu­sadeekul, a 21-year-old transgender beauty queen, you would respond like the perfect woman.
This year Kangsadan was supposed to represent her country in Miss International Queen 2008 (Thailand’s international transvestite beauty pageant) after she was crowned Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2008 (the most sought after beauty pageant title for Thai transvestites) in May.

However, the on-going battle between the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the People’s Power Party-led coalition government has indirectly trampled on her dream to compete against aspiring transvestites around the world including Malaysia – echoing the Thai proverb which says, “In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed”.

Miss International Queen 2008, which was due to be held in October and then deferred to November, has been cancelled (or in PR-speak postponed to 2009) as the political turmoil in Bangkok takes its toll on tourist arrivals.

Nevertheless, Kangsadan (and the future Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2009) will be competing in the Miss International Queen 2008/2009 pageant that is scheduled for early October next year.

How did Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2008 react to the postponement?

“She took it like a woman. Like all women she is not satisfied with herself, as she wants to be perfect when she competes,” said a translator while the teary-eyed katoey (Thai for transgender) checked out her eye shadow on a vanity mirror inside her Prada purse.

“She feels the postponement will be an advantage, as it will give her time to improve her English, looks and outfit.”

Looking pretty, Kangsadan nodded her head when the translator said: “She’s happy the pageant has been postponed.”

The translator, however, quickly added: “But don’t tell that to Alisa.”

At the next table was Alisa Phanthusak, whose family owns the world-famous Tiffany show, a katoey cabaret show in Pattaya, a beach resort about 110km southeast of Bangkok.

Earlier, Alisa, the organiser of Miss Tiffany’s Universe and Miss International Queen, admitted feeling “terrible” that the international pageant had to be “postponed”.

“But we had to take this painful decision because international tourist arrivals dropped after the government declared emergency rule (on Sept 2, after a Thai was killed when anti and pro-government groups clashed on the streets of Bangkok) and several countries advised their citizens not to travel to Thailand,” she explained.

At first the organiser postponed Miss International Queen 2008 to late November this year thinking the political struggle between the PAD and the government in the Thai capital would end by then.

But after two PAD supporters were killed and nearly 500 injured when the anti-government demonstrators clashed with the police outside parliament in Bangkok on Oct 7, Alisa realised the political instability would continue even through Thailand’s high tourism season (October to March).

To paraphrase the Thai proverb, in a battle between political elephants, Thailand’s tourism industry (not exactly an ant as it contributes 14% to the country’s GDP) gets squashed.

Take the example of the Tiffany Show. The audience for Pattaya’s must-see ladyboy cabaret show (usually attracting 2,000 guests a day) has dropped by 50%.

“This is the greatest crisis for tourism in Pattaya since I’ve been in the business for the past 10 years,” the 34-year-old businesswoman said, adding that the downturn was unfair as Pattaya was a long way from the epicentre of the political turmoil in Bangkok.

How about sending her international katoeys (since the transvestites – who Alisa described as “risk takers” and “more optimistic than the average tourist” – were dying to strut their stuff at the pageant) to the warring political groups with the message to “make love, not war”?

“One of my sponsors suggested organising a Miss International Queen rally in front of Bangkok’s Government House (which the PAD is illegally occupying) as a PR gimmick,” she related.

“He wanted to have fun with the current political situation and to have a peace (in Thai politics) theme for this year’s pageant.”

But Alisa, who was a member of the now-defunct National Legislative Assembly which was set up after the 2006 coup, is not about to risk her girls.

Technorati: beauty contest 2008 2009 pageant pattaya miss international queen Kangsadan Wongdu­sadeekul Miss Tiffany’s Universe ladyboy katoey katoy thai Thailand Bangkok