SgButterfly

I had been following the story of Marla Bendini, the campaign to end discrimination against TG Woman – Sisters in Solidarity, and other discussion on the net with regards to Ms Marla being ask to leave a pub in Clarke Quay – China One.

One concern in my thoughts, why didn’t any SgBian start any discussion on it? Would it be “This is simply not their ‘THING’ … too”?

Apparently, my thoughts are unjustified. In ain’t not not their “thing”. Actually, not many local transgender or transsexual knows about the happening or even the campaign.

The entire chapter was triggered by the experience of Ms Marla Bendini Junior Ong being thrown out of China One, not once, but twice. It leads to a series of letters being send and the launch of the first-ever Campaign in Singapore to end discrimination against Transgender Women – Sister in Solidarity.

Ms Lo, founding working group member of the Asia-Pacific Transgender Network and author of “From Leonard to Leona: A Singapore Transsexual’s Journey to Womanhood“, spear head the campaign, together with Ms Ong and Ms Trish, a transsexual that was ask to leave a job due to her transitioning, which left her jobless for 12 years.

Watch the below clips by RazorTV on the media release by SIS.

Many local LGB gave their comments in support to the cause, but the local T seems very quiet (because they do not know about it) with a few that does not approve of Ms Ong on her decision of transitioning.

Before I give my personal feel on the subject, I would like to bring your attention to our CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE (Rev 1999)

Equal protection

12. —(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

(2) Except as expressly authorised by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment under a public authority or in the administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

(3) This Article does not invalidate or prohibit —

(a) any provision regulating personal law; or

(b) any provision or practice restricting office or employment connected with the affairs of any religion, or of an institution managed by a group professing any religion, to persons professing that religion.

Now my thoughts…

All entertainment premises has their own “(un)written” house rules and I believe part of it will states that they (club owner/management) have the rights to evict anyone out of their facility without the need to provide any reason or whatsoever.

It is respectfully wrong to single out Ms Ong due to an absurd reason – “This is simply not their THING“. The manager (or whoever) that provided that statement needs to go for customer service course. It is outright discriminating.

Yet…  it is not illegal.

I applause to the courage and determination of Ms Lo, Ms Ong and Ms Trish and I sincerely do hope that the campaign will be well received and does not in any chance, create more hindrance for the transgender community.

I know there are many transsexual that has fused into the mainstream community and are each in their own comfort zone. These group of transsexual, be it pre-op, post-op or no-op, had been living their life in stealth. Their ability to stealth might have various reason and passibility is definitely one of them.

By raising this note, I’m stating that human judge by ecstatic view. Although the saying mentioned that “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder“, the majority of human still take sides on a general “beauty concept”.

Many sista that I know, who are of average or above quality looks, have no problem fusing into the community, even if their gender status is known. But of-cos, many choose to not openly declare.

Face the fact of current situation. There is no “3rd gender law”, because there shouldn’t be any “3rd gender”. The variant of gender may be vast for you can be a bi-male, cis female, gay transsexual male, top crossdressing female, etc… but there is only Female or Male. People see things as masculine or feminine.

Everyone has a right to present themselves in whatever ways they want. Everyone has the right to be in any dress code that they deems appropriate, without creating as a public nuisance.

Having said such, if you know you are not very passable as a transsexual, or there are certain visual traits that might picha you as a trans, or you are conscious about people knowing you are a trans, wouldn’t you tone done a little on your dressing, behaviour, character, or whatsoever that might lead others on. Not so?

Transgender people also face discrimination in their search for a good career, especially for pre-op trans, as their status on their identification does not tally with their outlook. Worst, if they are masculine pre-op mtf.

While you may not be able to change your masculinity overnight, you still got to feed yourselves.

A S$800 job with our famous 24/7 chain store will be a start to get you going.

Yar, you got great paper qualification, you spend tons on your education, you hope to work as a while collar position. Is dignity or integrity a priority then getting food to the table? Feed yourself before you start to venture into other areas, IMO.

If you wish to endorse the Sisters in Solidarity (SIS) Campaign Petition to Nightspot and club operators, you can go to this website: http://www.petitiononline.com/sister1/petition.html, or drop by

Food #03, 107+109 Rowell Road
Date: Sat, May 8, 2010
Time: 2 to 6pm

Organisers aim to collect 1,000 signatures for their petition that calls for an end to all forms of discrimination against transgender women in Singapore. The petition and a cover letter will be sent to any organisation/institution reported to have discriminated against transgender women here.

Before I sign off, I leave you with this comment from a sista name Rebecca -

This is Singapore. If you going to go out in public, you should know better to have your armor up.

2,887 views