INTERVIEW Dressed in a pair of jeans, a low-cut top and a cardigan, Diana is heads and shoulders taller than most in the Kuala Lumpur restaurant, where she meets Malaysiakini for buka puasa.
Her towering height cuts an imposing figure, but the transgender woman’s soft-spoken demeanour quickly puts one at ease.
Diana, as she only wishes to be known as, has travelled a fair distance from Bahau, Negri Sembilan to tell her tale, and the one thing she wants to point out is this: Not all transgender people live in the lorong.
The mild-mannered 25-year-old’s message is subtle but clear: Not all transgender people are sex workers, relegated to the dark alleys in seedy underbellies, away from society.
“Most have careers of their own. I, myself, am educated,” the 25-year-old diploma holder said.
The statement was in response to Islamic groups like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) who recently went up in arms against a proposal to criminalise discrimination against sexual minorities.
“It’s going to be hard for us when they say they won’t acknowledge our rights at work.”
Evidently frustrated, Diana said things are even more complicated for transgender people who have feminine physical attributes like herself.
“How are they going to work if they are told they cannot cross-dress? Other than inviting stares from people, it will only be harder for them.”
Diana nevertheless shrugs off suggestions that such discrimination affect their livelihoods.
“I won’t say that it will affect our rice bowls, but it will definitely be a hindrance," she said.
‘Your breasts look nice’
Her reaction could be a product of one of two things – indifference after a lifetime of swimming against the tide, or steely determination after being arrested for cross-dressing at a wedding last month, with 16 other transgender women.
Wearing a beanie over her wig, the hairstylist is wistful when she recalls her long hair shorn off while in prison, as per standard practice for male inmates.
“We were only given the orange prison pants to wear so my long hair managed to cover my breasts initially.
“But after my hair was shaved off, a female police officer passed a comment, saying my breasts looked nice.
“I don’t understand why she had to say that,” said Diana, smarting over the remark she said was insulting.
They were eventually released from prison after the public contributed to a fundraiser so the women could pay their fines.
However, Diana says this sort of action follow them everywhere.
“I once heard that the Malacca Islamic Department caught transgender people for cross-dressing in the workplace.
“When I heard that, I felt so scared to go to work. I already have feminine traits, I cannot go to work wearing men’s clothes,” she said, shaking her head.
Protection for sexual minorities
Still nervous about her safety, Diana, who declined to be photographed, said it is especially important for her to look feminine in her line of work.
“Since I also provide make-up services on a freelance basis, it is important for my make-up to be proper,” she said, her face lighting up when talking shop.
Whether or not the clause on gender identity to be made into a law is mooted, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) will determine whether Diana, and many like her, will be able to lead a normal life.
For now, Diana finds comfort that NUCC representatives are not giving in yet to the likes of Isma.
Last week, PAS MP and NUCC law committee member Mujahid Rawa (right) said that sexual minorities deserve protection under the law.
This did not win him favours from Isma, who said that protecting this community is akin to acknowledging their existence and not taking any action to stop them way of life from spreading.
But even Mujahid qualified his statement by saying that protection does not mean recognition.
For Diana, however, this is enough for a thumbs up. Succinctly, she said: “It is good that an MP says this.”
Her towering height cuts an imposing figure, but the transgender woman’s soft-spoken demeanour quickly puts one at ease.Diana, as she only wishes to be known as, has travelled a fair distance from Bahau, Negri Sembilan to tell her tale, and the one thing she wants to point out is this: Not all transgender people live in the lorong.
The mild-mannered 25-year-old’s message is subtle but clear: Not all transgender people are sex workers, relegated to the dark alleys in seedy underbellies, away from society.
“Most have careers of their own. I, myself, am educated,” the 25-year-old diploma holder said.
The statement was in response to Islamic groups like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) who recently went up in arms against a proposal to criminalise discrimination against sexual minorities.
“It’s going to be hard for us when they say they won’t acknowledge our rights at work.”
Evidently frustrated, Diana said things are even more complicated for transgender people who have feminine physical attributes like herself.
“How are they going to work if they are told they cannot cross-dress? Other than inviting stares from people, it will only be harder for them.”Diana nevertheless shrugs off suggestions that such discrimination affect their livelihoods.
“I won’t say that it will affect our rice bowls, but it will definitely be a hindrance," she said.
‘Your breasts look nice’
Her reaction could be a product of one of two things – indifference after a lifetime of swimming against the tide, or steely determination after being arrested for cross-dressing at a wedding last month, with 16 other transgender women.
Wearing a beanie over her wig, the hairstylist is wistful when she recalls her long hair shorn off while in prison, as per standard practice for male inmates.
“We were only given the orange prison pants to wear so my long hair managed to cover my breasts initially.
“But after my hair was shaved off, a female police officer passed a comment, saying my breasts looked nice.
“I don’t understand why she had to say that,” said Diana, smarting over the remark she said was insulting.
They were eventually released from prison after the public contributed to a fundraiser so the women could pay their fines.However, Diana says this sort of action follow them everywhere.
“I once heard that the Malacca Islamic Department caught transgender people for cross-dressing in the workplace.
“When I heard that, I felt so scared to go to work. I already have feminine traits, I cannot go to work wearing men’s clothes,” she said, shaking her head.
Protection for sexual minorities
Still nervous about her safety, Diana, who declined to be photographed, said it is especially important for her to look feminine in her line of work.
“Since I also provide make-up services on a freelance basis, it is important for my make-up to be proper,” she said, her face lighting up when talking shop.
Whether or not the clause on gender identity to be made into a law is mooted, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) will determine whether Diana, and many like her, will be able to lead a normal life.
For now, Diana finds comfort that NUCC representatives are not giving in yet to the likes of Isma.
Last week, PAS MP and NUCC law committee member Mujahid Rawa (right) said that sexual minorities deserve protection under the law.This did not win him favours from Isma, who said that protecting this community is akin to acknowledging their existence and not taking any action to stop them way of life from spreading.
But even Mujahid qualified his statement by saying that protection does not mean recognition.
For Diana, however, this is enough for a thumbs up. Succinctly, she said: “It is good that an MP says this.”
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