Dispatch from Thailand

The western perception of Ladyboys.

Stereotype, stereotypes, stereotypes . . .

Having lived in Asia for more years than I care to remember, and been in and out of Thailand for almost all of those years, I guess I should be immune to the some of the “myths” I continually hear being bandied around about TG people in this country.

Two of the most common go something like this:

 All Ladyboys (I use this term as it is the most widely used term in Thailand for TG people, even me!) are lithe, slim, attractive boys/men who live full time as women; and work in cabaret shows

Thailand is the spiritual home of the “third gender,” TG people, all of whom are totally assimilated and accepted into society

Of course there are more myths, but I’d need a rather long time to list them all and, if I did, there may be no room left in TGForum for anything else!

However, can I say here and now, that my retorts on the validity of both of the above statements are “Yes” and “No.”

The Ladyboy band, Venus Flytrap.

Undoubtedly, the Ladyboys who feature in the, now, world famous cabaret shows such as Tiffanys or Simon are the epitome of womanhood; TG people who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen, but relatively short lived, profession (most girls are “past it” by 27/28). Many are natural beauties, but equally as many have had some facial or other body enhancements (and I don’t mean just breast implants or SRS) but there are scores and scores of other Ladyboys in the country who work in shops, in hair salons, restaurants, as make-up artists and, of course, bars, nightclubs and the sex industry. Some are beautiful, some are not; some thin and tall, some fat and short; some smart and not so smart; some are high flying professionals with Bachelors or Masters Degrees (but these are not so newsworthy and the international media rarely picks up on them — although the recent hiring of a number of Ladyboys by the, sadly now in bankruptcy proceedings, PC Air, did create international attention).

Some Ladyboys have full transitioned, some only partially, and yet others have never had any surgical intervention; believe it or not, some only live part time as women, whilst other live full time and may be on hormones or other medications to get them though their daily lives.

Then you have the range of gender identity and sexual attractions, complicated recipes at the best of times. Some Ladyboys I know are in long term relationships with men, some with other women; some don’t mind either gender. Many have had their hearts broken by both Thai men and men from the multitude of different countries who flock to Thailand to see out “sexual partners with a difference.” Most, like almost all genetic women, dream of a gallant lovers, someone to take care of them, be there for them.

Linked in to the first myth is the question of assimilation. Now, don’t get me wrong, of all the places I’ve been in Asia, and in the world for that matter (and I’ve been to many), Thailand is the most comfortable, the most relaxed, the place where TG people don’t feel threatened, where, for example, (mainly genetic) Thai girls and women will happily make your acquaintance, be your good friend, take you to dinner, treat you as “one of the girls,” confide in you — but  there is a definite “glass ceiling” for Ladyboys in terms of career opportunities or progression, in terms of being considered inferior, as not “real” women and not real men; tolerated unequivocally.

Accepted fully into society? I still question this.

In fact, there is an unspoken adage which goes along the lines of: “It’s fine to be a Ladyboy, do, dress and live how you want, but as long as you are not my brother, relative, son, or even father.”

Yes, we transgendered in Thailand (and I include me, in this ”we”) are lucky in many, many respects; no overt Transphobia and a “live and let live” mentality of the local populace; yet moves for progress are slow, the press for change moving hardly at all (as an example, even now, those Thais who do transition are still not allowed to change their male name on their identity cards) and I guess a lot of this is to do with the “mai pen rai” (sort of: it’s okay as it is/it doesn’t matter) mentality which permeates the country. Maybe the status quo appears fine to most people, but I fear that the T sector will again be left far behind our ‘’cousins” carrying the LGB banner if we don’t try and work harder for our rights, especially in a tolerant country such as Thailand

But I’m afraid I don’t see any TG “mythbusters” on the horizon here just yet.

Christine Burr is an author, writer and columnist, and is mainly based in Thailand where she enjoys her ‘T-life’ as much as she can! She is especially keen on promoting T-rights, despite the challenges this presents.

Tags: featured, Ladyboy, Thailand

Category: Transgender Body & Soul, Transgender Community News