The attitudes towards transgendered women are much different in Asia, especially in the Philippines and Thailand, than here. In the Philippines it is more common that they will live openly as women than in western countries. Some are even recognized as children and raised as girls from a young age. On the flip side, fathers have been known to kill their young sons if they suspect them to be even effeminate.

 

It is a country of contradictions. Predominately Catholic and conservative, it is hard for TG women to find employment unless it is a job not requiring personal interaction, like online or telephone customer service representatives. They cannot marry nor will Filipino men openly date them in general. Too often their main opportunities for earning money are prostitution or, more recently, as web cam "models". On the other hand they are accepted and often even held in esteem in their communities. Beauty pageants for TG women are very popular, and are sponsored by local governments as part of festivities on national and religious holidays.

 

They aren't freaks, they aren't cross dressers, it's not a fetish They have just been dealt a tough hand with which to play in the game of life.

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