Life as a Mermaid: Being Transgender in West Borneo

[WillParkinson]

Life as a Mermaid: Being Transgender in West Borneo

Cindy Clarissa finds surprising beauty in unexpected places in her travels as a photojournalist. This photo series and essay about Aulia in West Borneo is a perfect example.

[Editor's note — We asked why Clarissa referred to Aulia as a 'he' if he is transgender. Here is her reply: "With regards to your question on why I refer to Aulia as a 'he' instead of a 'she' for me it's because I sense a deep struggle between Aulia's female identity and his/her belief in religion. Aulia is a devout Muslim, brought up in a deeply religious family, and still lives in a highly religious community. In the context of Aulia's religion, to turn oneself into a woman when one is born physically as a man means going against God's will. And my reference to Aulia as a 'he' is a way of respecting that, the belief that seems to be Aulia's only pillar of strength in the darkest times. I don't know if that makes sense, it probably doesn't."]

Love can be found in the most unlikely places, so can greatness. I was fortunate enough to have met Aulia during my visit to West Borneo this year and shared a slice of his life. He told me he sees his life as that of a mermaid, split between two realms. Having been born with a female identity trapped in a male’s body, he had fought hard within and without to be where he is today.

http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/photography/2012/06/14/being-transgender-west-borneo-life-mermaid

[HillWilliam]

1. I was off-put by Cindy Clarissa's use of "he" until I read:

The editor clarified at the top of the article:

Editor's note — We asked why Clarissa referred to Aulia as a 'he' if he is transgender. Here is her reply: "With regards to your question on why I refer to Aulia as a 'he' instead of a 'she' for me it's because I sense a deep struggle between Aulia's female identity and his/her belief in religion. Aulia is a devout Muslim, brought up in a deeply religious family, and still lives in a highly religious community. In the context of Aulia's religion, to turn oneself into a woman when one is born physically as a man means going against God's will. And my reference to Aulia as a 'he' is a way of respecting that, the belief that seems to be Aulia's only pillar of strength in the darkest times. I don't know if that makes sense, it probably doesn't."

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. didn't think that explanation made much sense

[Zorra]

3. Yeh, it seemed really lame and bogus to me. nt

[HillWilliam]

5. I took it as Aulia's choice

due to the society in which s/he lives. Having grown up gay in a place where I knew being gay could get me deaded, Aulia's choice of pronoun made sense to me. I realize I can't compare my experience with Aulia's, but I understand the parallels.

[Evasporque]

4. Same story can be retold nearly everywhere...where religion dominates culture....

Change the names and places and it is essentially the same.