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“Transcending Gender; An Intimate Encounter” is a human rights awareness project by Sasja van Vechgel completed in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2016-17. Coming from different islands in Indonesia, these transgender women moved to Jakarta to find a better life for themselves. Due to the negative stigma of their sexuality, they found sex work on the street was the only way to support themselves financially. This type of work created lower self esteem, more economic dependency on others and higher risk of disease, including HIV. Sasja developed relationships with the women portrayed and conducted extensive interviews, which I used to write their stories. The women each tell of their past and also discuss their hopes and dreams for the future. This series was exhibited in the Global Art Gallery in Copenhagen, Denmark 2018-19.
"When I was in school, I was still a boy. Maybe, I was afraid that my parents would be angry with me. If I wanted to be free, I had to move out so that my parents didn't know that I was a girl. Then I become like a girl, wearing girls' clothes."
“He cheated. He played with my money and with my heart. I couldn’t handle the hurt feelings, so I cut myself.”
"My parents and relatives didn't give me permission to become what I am now. But what can I say, it comes from my heart, therefore, I'm still doing it."
"I feel pity for a transgender's life. Sometimes I'm crying deep down in my heart to see it."
