That’s a Foreign Ladyboy?!
Christine Burr is proud to have been called a ladyboy when she was checking in to a hotel in Thailand. She explains why and gives some backstory about Thailand’s ladyboys in this latest Dispatch from Thailand.
Tag: Thailand
Times Get Tougher for Ladyboys in Thailand
Our Correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, files a report on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the the transgender women known there as ladyboys. Since much of their employment is found in entertaining tourists, working in hair salons and doing makeovers you can imagine that things are not bright for them. Christine tells you more in today’s dispatch.
Back to Ladyboys
Some call Thailand the Land of Smiles and say that in general, except for sudden changes of leadership orchestrated by the military, citizens and visitors can have an easy time living there. Our correspondent in Thailand has written in the past about the transgender women there, known as ladyboys, or the more derogatory name katoi, and how they are treated by the general public. Despite advances made in the area of civil rights for transgender Thais Christine Burr today reports that they are still second class citizens.
Ladyboy Water Volleyball is Back!
Last year our Correspondent in Thailand covered a charity benefit featuring ladyboys playing water volleyball. We have gotten word that the event, which was thought to be finished for good, will be back this fall. Are you looking for a vacation destination this coming November? If so you might want to consider Thailand. The city […]
Ladyboys in Jail
Thailand is perceived to be a trans paradise where beautiful ladyboys live lives of glamor and total feminine expression. As with all perceptions from afar this one is not completely accurate. While the ladyboys do draw tourists who come to see their elaborate shows the lives of those not fortunate enough to be in show business are often second rate. Thailand does not protect its LGBT citizens from discrimination and life for ladyboys can be hard. No wonder some turn to crime to survive. Fortunately for those who are sent to prison the agency that runs the prisons is becoming enlightened and is going to have a separate place for LGBT prisoners. Christine Burr has more information.
Shades of Ladyboys
Our Correspondent from Thailand joins us with a blog about ladyboys and the meaning of transgender. Is all the media attention transgender issues have been getting helping people to understand what being trans is all about? Or, is it simply giving people labels they can apply to people and not give them any clue about those people’s lives, needs and desires? Labels can be handy but Christine Burr thinks that it’s the contents that really matter.
Ladyboys Need an Image Makeover
There are myths and more myths about Thai Ladyboys. Most of these myths revolve around the assumption that everything is fine and wonderful with being Transgendered in Thailand. That Thai Ladyboys live a wonderful life; going about their everyday routines dressing and living as the females they were clearly meant to be. After all, isn’t […]
Moving forward … slowly but surely in Thailand
Thailand has a reputation of being tolerant to its trans people, known as “ladyboys.” But there have been barriers placed in the way of a ladyboy achieving success. While they can pursue an entertainment career you don’t see many ladyboy CEOs. New laws have gone into effect in Thailand that are aimed at stopping the discrimination that holds back the ladyboy population. Learn more in Christine Burr’s Dispatch From Thailand.
Just Why do Many T-girls Head to Thailand for GRS?
Despite it being possible to have any and all necessary surgery in the US or one of the European countries, many trans women opt to come to Thailand–but why? Christine Burr has a number of reasons why people make the trek to Thailand to complete their transition.
5 Key Ways to Combat Transphobia in Asia
Christine Burr, our corespondent in Thailand, has filed another dispatch concerning the plight of trans people in Asia. While advances in acceptance of trans people move forward in progressive western countries many of the Asian countries continue to oppress their trans citizens due to transphobia. Christine has five ideas to counter that transphobia.
The Week In Transgenderism 4/13/15
All the TG news that’s fit to print! It’s TWIT! Today we learn that a trans woman has won a battle with the army. Elton John and Michael Stipe scold Georgia for mistreatment of a TG prisoner. Bruce Jenner news and controversy. Your DNA may reveal why you’re trans. Kristen Beck is honored. The White House condemns “reparative” therapy. Chinese trans TV hosts and Japanese transvestite TV host robots. More on the soldier who killed a Filipina woman. A remake of Rocky Horror? All that and more is waiting for you in TWIT!
Ladyboys: Ignorant and Unconscionable
To many Thailand seems like a transgender paradise. A place where beautiful ladyboys live as pampered courtesans or acclaimed entertainment stars. This view of Thailand is not what the real Thailand is like. While trans people have been a visible part of the Thai landscape for many years acceptance of their existence is not the same as embracing their presence. Christine Burr reports on the discrimination the ladyboys face in the “Land of Smiles.”
Interacting With Other, “Normal” People
Christine Burr was inspired by Angela’s Out & About post from several weeks ago and decided to tell about some of her adventures Out & About mingling with the general population. Christine is lucky in that she is not built like a linebacker so blending in with the other women is not as difficult as it is for some. Today she relates a few general encounters and one that she likes in particular.
Ladyboys — In All Shapes and Sizes!
Whenever our Correspondent in Thailand, Christine Burr, gets foreign visitors they all have one thing they simply must see, ladyboys. So Christine dutifully takes them to one of the upscale ladyboy cabaret shows that feature the most beautiful and feminine ladyboys. But some of her visitors want to see more of Thailand’s third gender than can be found in an upscale cabaret. Those visitors must be taken to another part of town.
The Week In Transgenderism 1/19/15
Thailand’s new constitution will contain official recognition of the 3rd gender. Businesses are advised to diversify with trans employees. A trans woman is appointed to the Pa. cabinet. “Glee” introduces an FtM character. The British Army’s only trans woman is a captain. Puberty blocking drugs. Different genders, different brain wiring. Russian trans people may be able to drive after all. All that and more plus many TWIT Awards are waiting for you in The Week In Transgenderism!
Ladyboys Getting Older
Today Christine Burr, our correspondent in Thailand, talks with a former star of the ladyboy cabaret scene in Pattaya. Now she works as a makeup artist and is lucky to have a boyfriend who is devoted to her. For other ladyboys who make a living on the stage it doesn’t always turn out so well. Christine talks to Khun Bee about what happens to most ladyboys as they grow older.
Ladyboys by Degrees
A recent interaction with a group of ladyboys got Christine Burr thinking about transgenderism. The women were modeling wedding dresses at an event promoting various wedding salons to prospective brides. Christine started talking to them about what it means to be a ladyboy in Thailand. After listening to them and ruminating on transgenderism in general she has come to some conclusions.
Ladyboy… who is?
Christine goes out with friends for dinner, two GGs and a Thai “ladyboy.” After dinner the conversation turns to what the ladyboys outside of Thailand are like, and Christine is surprised to learn that her friends see her as a ladyboy. For in Thailand anyone with who is differently gendered and expresses a feminine personae is labelled a ladyboy. See what else the friends discussed in this latest Dispatch From Thailand.
Ladyboy Gangs Rounded up in Pattaya
Pattaya, the beach resort in Thailand, has its share of ladyboys. Most of them are trying to better themselves and get legitimate jobs but there are only so many spots in show biz. Other’s are hoping to meet that wealthy foreign gentleman and move out of Thailand live as his wife. While that does happen from time to time the more likely ending is one of prostitution and crime. Christine Burr takes you on a visit to Pattaya today.
Ladyboys in Thailand: Jira Gets a Job in a Cabaret Show
Last month Chris Burr met a young lady named Jira who told her about her life as a ladyboy. This month Jira is excited because she has gotten a new job. She will be working in a ladyboy cabaret with some of her friends. Today Christine introduced you to them and talks with them and Jira about Jira’s new show business careers.
Ladyboys in Thailand: A Very Typical Story
A month or so back, I was in a well known chain of local coffee shops in Chiang Mai, about to enjoy my regular hot chocolate and over-indulge in a banana cream pie. The very pretty waitress who served me, gave me a lovely smile, and politely asked, “Where do you come from?” — a standard […]
Katoey — and Other Dirty Words
“What are words for?” That’s a lyric by the L.A. band Missing Persons and it’s also the theme that Christine Burrows examines in her Dispatch From Thailand. Where to the words used to identify the TG community come from? How do they vary from culture to culture and what makes a specific term pejorative? Learn what Christine believes in “Katoey — and Other Dirty Words.”
Ladyboys Are Everywhere
Our correspondent in Thailand has filed another report. In this one Christine Burr says that because generally speaking the Thai people have liberal attitudes toward trans people you will find ladyboys all over the place. They work in hair salons, shops and restaurants, and of course in cabaret shows aimed at the tourists. Does it indicate that ladyboys are movin’ on up?
Ladyboys Moving Up
Our correspondent in Thailand has filed another report on Ladyboys in that country. During her time in Thailand Christine Burr has met many Ladyboys and she says that after a bit their stories start to sound the same. And the stories don’t have a happy ending. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Things are looking up somewhat and Christine hopes we’ll hear more about Ladyboys moving up.
Katoey — Stars Shine Brightly
TG people have been around in Asia for more years than anyone can remember. From China to Thailand, from Indonesia to The Philippines, or from Japan to Korea, the “third gender” have been omnipresent for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Many Asian cultures have long accepted, or liberally tolerated, the presence of “new-halfs” or […]
