Transvestites Contest in Aceh

The Province of Aceh is the only province in Indonesia which strictly adopted the Islamic Law, whereby women must wear head scarf and unmarried couples can be punished by stoning if they committed adultery.

So when an Acehnese woman, Qory Sandioriva, was elected as Miss Indonesia 2009, Ulamas (Muslim cleric) in Aceh have strongly protested against it.

Due to the above, I was very surprised when I read that on 14 February, Transvestites (homosexuals)  in Aceh held its first beauty pageant for Transvestites. And Zifana Lestisia (19) from Lhokseumawe was chosen as the Social & Culture Envoy 2010 who will represent Aceh at the national level.

The event organizer told the media that Ulama in Aceh have given their permit for the event. But this was denied by the Ulama who said that the transvestites came to them to ask for guidance to hold a charity event, not a beauty pageant. The ulama felt that they have been fooled by the Tranvestites.

For details, please click here and here.

Hmmmm ...... it would be very interesting to know the further development of this case.


Photo :  Courtesy of Yahoo/Viva.