Crossing the line: A Miss Transvestite Aceh contestant takes a photo backstage prior to the announcement of the winner of the Aceh Cultural and Social Envoy 2010, in Banda Aceh on Saturday evening. Transvestites face discrimination in the staunchly Muslim province of Aceh, which also bans homosexuality under its sharia bylaw. JP/Hotli SimanjuntakParticipants were met with applause, but also taunts when they stepped on the catwalk during a Miss Transvestite Aceh pageant on Saturday evening.

The pageant, held at the Radio Republik Indonesia building and organized by transgender rights organization Putro Sejati Aceh, was aimed at selecting a representative for the national contest as well as campaigning on transgender issues.

”Transvestites are marginalized. We demand equal rights,” Sherly, who chairs Putro Sejati Aceh, told The Jakarta Post.

She said people in Ace...