At just 27 years of age, Alegra Wolter is already a rarity among Indonesia’s medical workers.

Having obtained her doctorate in medicine from Atma Jaya Catholic University in 2018, Alegra currently works as the partnership manager of Docquity Indonesia, a start-up focusing on medical network and education. She is also a general practitioner at Angsamerah Clinic in Jakarta, which focuses on HIV/AIDS and sexual health, as well as being an activist at rights advocacy group Suara Kita. 

Aware that many LGBT individuals in Indonesia experience challenges when it comes to health care, the general practitioner last week decided to publicly come out as a trans woman in a mass media outlet. While she had always been open prior to that, Alegra maintained that with her making it public, she hoped to raise the issue of harmful gender practices in the country.

“I haven't seen someone openly trans woman working in the medical field. I'm sure there [are others] but sometimes [trans people] choose not to transition or choose not to disclose their identity. And that is okay,” Alegra told The Jakarta Post.

By doing so, Alegra has established herself as the first openly trans woman doctor in Indonesia. It was an action that required plenty of courage and a preparedness for vocal opposition. In Indonesia, the most populous Muslim-majority country, stigma and hostility toward sexual and gender minorities has steadily risen over the past few years.

Among other forms of harassment in February of last year, several LGBT activists received an anonymous message encouraging them to “repent to God" with a link to a website offering conversion therapy.

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