giving us a bad name …

[Anonymous]

at least daily telegraph published photos from this year’s miss tiffany’s universe comptetion in pattaya, thailand:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/gallery/0,23607,5053773-5007153,00.html#

and although the captions seem a little on the condescending side, publicity is better than no, or negative publicity.

The story is here:

RESPLENDENT in a figure-hugging grey and black dress, Sorrawee Nattee wept tears of joy after being crowned Thailand’s most beautiful transsexual at a unique pageant.

Sorrawee took the top prize at Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2009 in the beach resort of Pattaya, beating off 29 other transsexuals and receiving a small Honda car, and 100,000 baht ($AU3800) in cash on Friday night.

“I’m very excited,” the willowy 20-year-old from Thailand’s southern Songkhla province said, touching the glimmering winner’s crown with disbelieving fingers.

She appeared overwhelmed by hordes of photographers, camera crews and well-wishers, the scene played out before a live television audience of 15 million people.

In a nation obsessed with beauty pageants and famous for its sexual tolerance, this elaborate contest is taken every bit as seriously as the more traditional competitions.

Against a soundtrack of thumping music, the pageant featured an Italian Casanova-themed number involving gondolas and masked dancers. And a pirate ship drifted across the stage swirled in thick “fog.”

There were categories for Best Costume, Miss Photogenic and even Miss Unlimited Sexy Star.

The packed theatre was a mix of transsexuals, gay and straight couples, and Western tourists who appeared to have wandered in off the main Pattaya drag.

Dresses ranged from flowing white ensembles to shimmering red numbers and pink miniskirts. High heels were a must.

The evening was put on by Tiffany’s Show Pattaya, which owners say is the world’s largest transsexual cabaret.

All contestants were born men, and organisers said they hoped to raise public awareness of transgendered issues.

“She had smart answers and is very beautiful,” Marut Sarowat, a well-known television and stage director who was one of the judges, said of Sorrawee.

He added that Thailand is generally accepting of transsexuals.

“I think our country is open for all kinds of genders,” he said. “Because everyone should do their best for themselves and for society. Thai people can accept transsexuals. All people must be good people.”

When asked to name her hero, winner Sorrawee earned loud applause by naming her mother and father, and as the evening progressed, cheers for her grew louder and louder as the audience urged their favourite to victory.

“Kathoeys,” also known as “ladyboys,” are highly visible in Buddhist-majority Thailand, and have achieved prominence in popular culture such as on television and in musical acts.

And many kathoeys work in salons, clothing shops, and travel agencies.

But the nation’s relaxed attitudes toward what it views as the “third sex” does not mean that all obstacles to acceptance have been eliminated.

Many transsexuals live their lives as women, but cannot change their national ID cards from male to female.

Napatsawan Cholakorn, 21, who won third place, said she was not disappointed at missing out on the top prize.

“It’s very hard to win because the transgendered people in Thailand are the best in the world,” she said. “Transgendered people here are not much different than women – and Thailand has a lot of competition.”

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,25498853-5011922,00.html

[Anonymous]

more on the man in a woman’s swimming costume story …

i take it all back. the press didn’t use the word transvestite or cross dresser, although the daily telegraph used the word *pervert*:

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,25614370-5001021,00.html

and some interesting readers comments (which seem to be fairly liberal minded):

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/comments/0,22058,25614370-5001021,00.html

what’s more, now that the video is available, the person is clearly just a regular guy with irregular clothing.

all too weird for me …

http://media.smh.com.au/national/breaking-news/man-in-womens-bathers-arrested-565596.html

[June]

I like the costume, but I am not sure green would suit me. He didn’t look like he was showing off any naughty bits but I suppose he could have pulled bits out; pity he was harassing children. Tends to give CDs a bad name by association.

[Anonymous]

Re: Kathoey – when is the media going to stop denigrating these women. There’s not a single man amongst them. There are women 24/7.

How dare these creep journalists continue to hold Kathoey up to ridicule, with their repeated reference to them being “men”. They are women.

As for the man who has reverted to the standard bathing costume for men less than 100 years ago, what’s the problem? I gather this man in fact may be an exhibitionist. I suppose the costume will draw attention tho himself, and then the easy flash. Give the pervert some points for originality and trying something new when flashing.

The issue is the unceasing need of media editors to re-inforce negative stereotypes and just denigrate us.

Hugs
Grumpy Christina

[Anonymous]

Well, I watched the video and, altho’ the guy was wearing breast forms, I think he would have got away with it if he hadn’t been a nuisance. His appearance wasn’t all that out of the ordinary. There’s hope for us all yet

[Anonymous]

terri –

Quote:

His appearance wasn’t all that out of the ordinary.

hey, i’m not sure whether or not you picked up on it, but he was wearing hiking boots and short socks. now that’s kind of out there as an ensemble coordinating with a green one piece swimmer, don’t you reckon? or may be i’m old fashioned

i would have gone with some nice lower (you know, over 2 inches) heel sandal (maybe with a hint of gladiator), myself. and short socks? get them out of here!

and there’s always hope for us … never give up on that.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous comments, but I have to ask, “What can he have been thinking?” If indeed he was harassing girls, he must be crazy.

I don’t see anything wrong with men in women’s swimming suits in public ,I l wear them myself- love them,not in public, though) but we have to remember, most people find it a little disconcerting, if merely because of its unfamiliarity. So proper decorum while dressed is a ‘must’.

If this guy followed girls or spoke to them after they indicated that they found him creepy, or the like, he was extremely silly. But one never knows, perhaps it transpired that the girls didn’t approve of his attire, and fabricated a story to get him’ busted’. I hope we hear the follow up and conclusion to this story.
Michelle