This one goes out to my homies....

Within the pubescent population of Thailand are the frilly showings of khatoys, boys that unabashedly languish in their feminine disposition. Khatoys, also known as lady-boys, have all the demonstrative traits one would expect, the flamboyant hand & body gesticulations, the primped appearance which can include eyeliner, foundation make-up & painted fingernails all the while found in the company of one or more girls. They are also unequivocally the most participatory students. It is important to understand that khatoys are not just simply tolerated, they are popular & genuinely well liked. The topic of khatoys begs the which-came-first question, did an open society provide safe space for the prospering of lady-boys or did lady-boys influence a more open society?
Recently, during a weekend school retreat billed as English Camp, that Becca & I were required to attend, Saturday evening set the stage for the Miss Christmas Pageant, where contestants were judged by their presentation of themselves, talent, interview & costume. Of the 3 winning candidates, two were khatoys. Lala, the first place winner, was lavishly decorated in his own handmade marde gras-style outfit including facial make-up, moving in cheerleader form to Thai-techno music playing from his mic-amplified cell phone. In the interview part, when asked why he desired to visit Paris, Lala answered, "to find my husband." It is not unusual that it exists, what is unusual, at least by American sensibilities, is how it exists. During the pageantry, the boys all watched with complete nonchalance. This is a culture where boys can be seen leading their same gendered friend by the wrist, regardless of age. I have experienced grown married men interlocking their fingers with mine while having conversation. What a fantastic phenomenon it would be if young American adolescent males could exist without such squeamishness towards their own gender & grow up to be adult males with one less hang up in the American landscape. TLC