Discrimination remains a major stumbling block for transvestites and gay communities across the country, especially for those with HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections, despite a heightened campaign for equality and rights, a discussion heard Thursday.

“We are here with high hopes that legislators will articulate the grievances of our fellow transvestites and gay people whose social, economic and health rights are neglected,” Yulianus Rettoblaut, head of the Indonesian Transvestites Communication Forum (FWKI), told a hearing with members of the House of Representatives’ Commission IX, which oversees citizenship, health, labor and transmigration affairs.

The group said prevalent discrimination and stigmatization against transvestites had deprived them of healthcare services and often fair chances for employment.

Based on a 2007 Compact Surveillance on Biology and Behavior report issued by the Health Ministry, the group found at least one out of every three transvestites in Jakarta was infected with HIV, due to the lack of adequate healthcare for the group.

The situation was worse in the West Java capital of Bandung, where half of the transvestite population was infected with gonorrhea or some other STI.

“Many of us are simply rejected because of our given condition and sexual orientation that differs from that of the mainstream,” Fifi, a transvestite from Denpasar, told The Jakarta Post.

“Such discrimination often happens at workplaces and offices where we seek healthcare services or citizenship administration. More than that, we are also prone to sexual abuse and harassment. What an unfair world.”

In response to the complaints, Commission IX member Rudianto Chen said there was nothing new in the list of problems unveiled by the group.

“We discussed these matters last year,” he said.

“We then asked the manpower minister to pay serious attention to complaints about unfair chances for jobs. We reached a win-win agreement at the time.”

However, he admitted the commission had failed to monitor implementation of the agreement.

“This is partly our fault for not monitoring the implementation of the agreement. That’s why we plan to facilitate another meeting between ministry officials and transvestite groups,” he said.

Rudianto added the commission would seek a new system that would allow the ministry to conduct oversight of the agreement on a daily basis.

“So, for instance, if they still fall victim to discrimination or are stigmatized at hospitals or government offices, we suggest they file a report with us as soon as possible so we can do something about it,” he said.

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