This essay describes the impact of Covid-19 restrictions imposed for Indonesia waria (transgender woman) community mobilization between February and September 2020.
Waria played a pivotal role in mobilizing a community response in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The transgender community is providing support not only to their own community, but also to other marginal groups impacted in similar ways. Harsh lockdown measures imposed to respond to COVID-19 disproportionately affected waria, cutting off access to economic and community support. This was particularly acute for the many warias without state-issued identity cards.
This essay describes an introduction and a translation of an account provided in Indonesian by Indonesia transgender activist. Rully Mallay is a transgender community leader and at the Kebaya Foundation. She managed Kebaya shelter for people living with HIV in Yogyakarta.
Nevertheless, Rully expresses her hope that their skills and adaptability in their response to the public health emergency, they might achieve recognition and acceptance from Indonesian society.
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