BOOK LAUNCH and PHOTO EXHIBITION*
“PEREMPUAN TANPA VAGINA”
by
Writer Merlyn Sopjan
Photographer Toto Santiko Budi
BACKGROUND
Waria, or transvestites, occupy a controversial position in Indonesian society. The community continues to search for equal rights and recognition, with the backing of a few women's groups.
Merlyn Sopjan is a waria who has highlighted this cause through her writing. Her second book, "Perempuan Tanpa Vagina" or "Women Without Vaginas", is about to be launched following the success of her first book, "Jangan Lihat Kelaminku" or "Don't Look at My Genitals," which was published in 2005. Apart from being an active writer, Sopjan works at the Syaiful Anwar Hospital in Malang as an HIV/AIDS case manager. The former student of the University of
Technology of Surabaya also heads the local Ikatan Waria (Waria Association) of her hometown Malang, where she achieved widespread recognition not only as the winner of several waria contests but as the result of a controversial bid to become Mayor of the small town.
In 2006, Sopjan entered the 2006 Putri Waria Contest and won first prize. As the winner, she will represent Indonesia in the International Miss Tiffany, International Queen in Bangkok which will take place in October of this year. With her new found fame, Sopjan plans to continue her efforts on behalf of the waria community. Our photographer Toto Santiko Budi has followed Sopjan through her everyday routine, documenting her life. He first met Sopjan while covering the Miss Waria Indonesia 2006 contest in Jakarta and has continued to pursue a personal project in documenting Sopjan's unique experience living in her home town of Malang. The two have worked to put together this photo exhibition "Women Without Vaginas" to coincide with the launch of Sopjan's second book.
Budi's photographs have been published in numerous domestic and international publications including Koran Tempo, Play Boy Indonesia, Garuda In-flight Magazine, Time Asia, Bloomberg News, and Stern. This will be Budi's first exhibition.
“PEREMPUAN TANPA VAGINA”
by
Writer Merlyn Sopjan
Photographer Toto Santiko Budi
BACKGROUND
Waria, or transvestites, occupy a controversial position in Indonesian society. The community continues to search for equal rights and recognition, with the backing of a few women's groups.
Merlyn Sopjan is a waria who has highlighted this cause through her writing. Her second book, "Perempuan Tanpa Vagina" or "Women Without Vaginas", is about to be launched following the success of her first book, "Jangan Lihat Kelaminku" or "Don't Look at My Genitals," which was published in 2005. Apart from being an active writer, Sopjan works at the Syaiful Anwar Hospital in Malang as an HIV/AIDS case manager. The former student of the University of
Technology of Surabaya also heads the local Ikatan Waria (Waria Association) of her hometown Malang, where she achieved widespread recognition not only as the winner of several waria contests but as the result of a controversial bid to become Mayor of the small town.
In 2006, Sopjan entered the 2006 Putri Waria Contest and won first prize. As the winner, she will represent Indonesia in the International Miss Tiffany, International Queen in Bangkok which will take place in October of this year. With her new found fame, Sopjan plans to continue her efforts on behalf of the waria community. Our photographer Toto Santiko Budi has followed Sopjan through her everyday routine, documenting her life. He first met Sopjan while covering the Miss Waria Indonesia 2006 contest in Jakarta and has continued to pursue a personal project in documenting Sopjan's unique experience living in her home town of Malang. The two have worked to put together this photo exhibition "Women Without Vaginas" to coincide with the launch of Sopjan's second book.
Budi's photographs have been published in numerous domestic and international publications including Koran Tempo, Play Boy Indonesia, Garuda In-flight Magazine, Time Asia, Bloomberg News, and Stern. This will be Budi's first exhibition.
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