Born this way by Gary Boyle - Bangkok Post Learning: Test Yourself

Bangkok Post Learning: Test Yourself
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Born this way                                                        by Gary Boyle

                                                               Photo by Melalin Mahavongtrakul
Read the following story by Melalin Mahavongtrakul from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the
questions that follow.

Asian transgender beauty queens reflect on the issues they face and their hopes for the future. But
what’s it like to be a transgender woman living in Asia?
“It’s difficult,” said Yaya, a Chinese transgender beauty queen. “In China, most people think
transgenders are crazy, that we need to go to a hospital. But the truth is we’re natural. We’re born
this way.”

BATTLE ROYALE
Yaya is one of the contestants the Bangkok Post met backstage prior to the final round of the Miss
International Queen 2019 competition, held this month in Pattaya. This Thailand-based international
beauty pageant has been celebrating transgender women since 2004. This year, 20 transgender

women from all over the world competed for the crown. The pageant’s 14th edition saw Jazell
Barbie Royale from the United States taking home the crown. The atmosphere inside Tiffany’s Show
Theatre, where the event took place, was truly joyous.

More than half of this year’s contestants represented Asian countries, including Kanwara Kaewjin,
the reigning Miss Tiffany’s Universe, who represented Thailand. While living as a transgender in
some Asian countries means better freedom of expression and a celebration of rights, in others it
could still mean discrimination and bigotry.
“If you’re transgender, you live in the night, not daytime. If people find out, they may hurt you and
beat you. You can lose your job,” continued Yaya inside a roomful of beauties where everyone was
getting ready for the show. The ladies were all dressed up in sparkling, gorgeous gowns. Everyone
was looking forward to the show but no one forgot the journey that had brought them here.

Yaya, 29, is a singer and vocal teacher. She used to hide the fact that she’s transgender for many
years. But that’s all in the past. She is now out and proud. Part of her being in the competition is to
show the public – especially those in her home country – all the great things transgender people
can be.

KICKED OUT
Elsewhere in Asia, 24-year-old student Angel Lama from Nepal said that the intolerance in her
country means transgender people may get kicked out of school. It’s also difficult to find a job.
“Many transwomen in our country are forced to be prostitutes just because they’re kicked out of
their family for being transgender. People aren’t educated about LGBT in our country. They just kick
out people, saying it’s a disease that can’t be let into society,” Lama said.

But the situation is different in Laos. Kanrayany Phothimath, 22, considers herself lucky to have
been born in Laos, as she believes the country is open for everyone, regardless of gender. She is a
college student, a model and a schoolteacher who now teaches basic English.

“Opportunity is based on each individual here. If you behave well, you have good opportunities in
society. People don’t automatically exclude you based on your gender,” she said. “At the same
time, I want everyone to be equal and respectful toward one another and not judge people based
on their appearance.”

While the level of acceptance may vary across Asia, one of the problems faced across the region is
the limited – or absence of – access to healthcare facilities dedicated to transgenders. This
includes facilities where they can get consultations, checkups, hormone treatments and sex-
reassignment surgery.

FEEL THE FREEDOM
When they can’t get these services in their country, many transgender people turn to Thailand,
which has facilities that offer healthcare to transgender people.
“We have a hospital [in China], but the doctor is not good with surgery. This is why I came to
Thailand for my sex-reassignment surgery – because Thai doctors are very good,” said Yaya. “I
always tell others I was born in China but I was made in Thailand. I’m a half-Thai girl. My doctor
made me reborn again.”

Despite the struggles and social prejudice facing transgender people, Yaya urged the transgender
community, especially the younger generation, to be brave.
“We don’t need to hide anymore. We can live in the sunshine. We can feel the freedom,” she said.

Vocabulary
transgender (adj): relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not
correspond with their birth sex
pageant (n): a competition in which beauty, personal qualities and skills are judged

Section 1: Read through the story and answer the following questions.
1. Chinese transgenders are crazy. True or false? …………….
2. When was the first Miss International Queen held? …………….
3. Where does this year’s winner come from? …………….
4. More than 50% of this year’s contestants were Asian. True or false? …………….
5. People in Nepal understand LGBT. True or false? ………….....

6. Which contestant is oldest?
a. Yaya.               b. Angel.            c. Kanrayany.
7. Who comes from a country that is open to transgenders?
a. Yaya.               b. Angel.            c. Kanrayany.
8. Who said transgenders no longer need to hide?
a. Yaya.               b. Angel.            c. Kanrayany.

Section 2: Specify whether each of the following words is used in the story as a verb, noun,
adjective or adverb.
9. truly.             ……………
10. regardless.       ……………
11. judge.            ……………
12. well.             ……………
13. brave.            ……………

Section 3: Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the
choices given.
When Jazell Barbie Royale ….14…. Miss International Queen 2019, the ….15…. of the historical
moment was felt all over the world. She is the first transgender woman of ….16…. to have won the
title. Growing up, Royale said she had a loving ….17…. and her family has shown her nothing but
love and support all the way. She has been planning to join Miss International Queen for several

years but ….18…. unable to. This year, she is ….19…. here with the blessing and support of her
community.
14. a. win          b. wins                   c. won
15. a. important    b. importance             c. import
16. a. colour       b. colourful              c. colours
17. a. children     b. childhood              c. child
18. a. wasn’t       b. hadn’t been            c. has been
19. a. final        b. finally                c. finalist

Section 4: Find synonyms in the story for the following words.
20. Beautiful.
21. Fortunate.
22. Chance.
23. Lack.
24. Difficulties.

For the answers, find the story online at www.bangkokpost.com/learning
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Editor at garyb@bangkokpost.co.th