Is equality on the horizon for Thailand's transgender community?

Photographer Elizabeth Waterman, known for her work documenting sex workers in the U.S., has traveled to Thailand three times over the last twelve months, interviewing and photographing Thai trans women known as Katoeys, commonly known as Ladyboys.

Working as entertainers in GoGo bars and as freelance escorts has allowed Katoeys to earn a respectable income and to dress and be accepted as women, but for some the life can be difficult and exhausting.

Waterman’s subjects shared stories about the challenges brought about by the inability to legally change their gender. Thailand and the world ought to have close attention to the progression of events in Thai Parliament, as a marginalized community comes to the forefront of attention.

Arranged for Advocate.com by Nikki Aye, Digital Photo Editor

Katoey at work in Pattaya City.

Katoeys fixing their makeup at work on Walking Street in Pattaya City. 

Katoey Bar in Pattaya City.

Nat Bam and Faye making merit with a Buddhist monk at 6am after working in a gogo bar.

Chrissy and friend on a beach after work.

Katoey Nadia in Pattaya City.

Katoey dancing with a customer at work in Pattaya City.

Katoeys interacting with clients at a gogo bar in Pattaya City.

Nat waiting offstage at work in Pattaya City.

Chrissy and friends on the beach relaxing.

Katoey gets ready for work in Bangkok.

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