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WHITE-WASHED ideology or not, debates surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community have been blooming across the globe, with some countries being more accepting and understanding than others.
And across time, production of plays highlighting this community have been enjoyed in the shadows of the majority in Malaysia.
Over the weekend, another such production titled, ‘Hey Girl!’ took place at the Ramli Hassan Studio.
This heartfelt yet comedic production encompassed a single script, written by Jennifer Rodrigo, and was performed by actors Az’farr Baginda and Josh Navin with different interpretations under the guidance of director Sabera Shaik.
This production by the Masa Kini Theater Company brought the struggles of the transgender community to the limelight, specifically following the monologue of a trans-woman.
Raised by a lesbian couple, our main character grew up in Sydney, Australia, before eventually returned to Malaysia.
As a test-tube baby, she was not only homeschooled till her mothers could find a school that did not discriminate against gender and sexuality, but was also sent to multiple self-defense classes.
Yet, even with all her self-defense capabilities, she still expressed how the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” soon proved to be utter B***S***.
Being discriminated against for her sexuality and gender identification, and the tepid support by her mother when she made up her mind to go through a full transformation at the age of 25, hurt.
“It’s okay to be who you are and all, but since you are already bisexual, maybe you could do so without the hormones,” her mother said.
Inspired by the writer’s experiences, both her and the director wanted this to be part of the effort to bring conversations surrounding this issue out into the open; which is what took place post-performance.
The floor was opened for Q&As, which eventually turned into a forum and a space for both audience and cast to discuss issues relating to the transgender community.
Within the hour-long discussion that took place, the question about acceptance seemed to spark the most conversation. The director even raised the question on whether or not the audience would be able to accept their child for being transgender.
She shared that at one of the previous sessions, a member of the audience expressed strong disapproval towards this idea.
“I am alright with my neighbour’s child being transgender, but not of my own.”
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon response as we tend to be alright if the person in question is at a distance, but throw a fit when that person is one of our own.
At the end of the night we were left wanting more with the deep sense that this is only the beginning to bringing awareness and humanising those different from us.
That being said, let us pose the same question the director brought to the audience.
“As a parent, will YOU be able to accept your child being transgender?” – The Vibes, April 5, 2021
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