Indonesia: Transvestites demand equal rights
Jakarta, 15 Feb. (AKI/Jakarta Post) - Indonesian transvestites in the staunchly Muslim province of Aceh are demanding equal rights. They made the claim at a transvestite pageant in Banda Aceh where homosexuality is banned under the province's strict Sharia law.
Participants were greeted with applause, but also taunts when they stepped on the catwalk during a Miss Transvestite Aceh pageant on Saturday.
The pageant was organised by transgender rights organisation Putro Sejati Aceh to select a representative for the national contest and to campaign on transgender issues.
”Transvestites are marginalised. We demand equal rights,” said Sherly, who chairs Putro Sejati Aceh.
She said people in Aceh despised them and discriminated against them for their gender identity.
“Many people are antagonistic and call us ’sissies’. We are afraid to go to school or university to study,” Sherly said.
She said the implementation of Islam Sharia law in Aceh placed them in a difficult position.
The pageant provoked a strong local reaction from provincial and religious leaders.
“We condemn the pageant. It has tainted Sharia in Aceh,” Tengku Faisal Ali, the secretary-general of Aceh Ulema Association (HUDA), said.
Criticism also came from provincial leaders, with legislator Darmuda saying:“We can’t tolerate transvestite pageants. This violates the values of the majority of Acehnese who are Muslims.”
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