CAMBODIA - Jul 20, 2003
The Funcinpec Party, Cambodia's royalist political faction, is wooing transgender voters in an effort to support women's rights legislation.Mu Sochua, Minister of Women's Affairs who is running in the July 27 election, stated that such support was essential for transgenders who were an unrepresented minority in Cambodian society. Commonly referred to as "kieuy", feminine gays and transgenders are frequently disapproved of by employers and many seek a living in the sex trade as a result. Ms. Sochua hopes to give the marginalized transgender community a voice in the political arena under the umbrella of women's rights, with the hope of gaining transgenders more understanding and respect within society. |
