Why oh why

Early this morning... I caught the online news. And this story was splashed everywhere. Even in our local papers - walaopon ada la satu suratkhabar ni aku takkan sebut nama used a derogatory reference of description.

Read the story from Asia One before I elaborate further why I posted this.

Transsexual staring at big change over 'wrong' photo
PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA - A Malaysian transsexual, who married a 30-year-old man in Britain, might be deported back to Malaysia after his Leave To Remain visa was rejected by British authorities over an 'incorrect' photograph. Mohammed Fazdil Min Bahari or Fatine, 36, recently married property maintenance company owner Ian Young in a civil partnership but was denied his visa in September on grounds that his passport contained an incorrect photograph. A report in The Sun newspaper in London said Fatine, a make-up artist, was told to go back to Malaysia after his second application was rejected as his visitor visa had expired. Young was quoted as saying that he could not accept the reasons given for each refusal of the applications. 'Our local MP even got in touch with the Home Office but they won't budge. They say Fatine has to return to Malaysia, which is something we wouldn't be able to do as a couple. Over there, we would face imprisonment just for living together,' he said. 'We feel desperate. Our options are quickly running out. Fatine can re-apply from Malaysia but who knows how long that would take, or if it would even be accepted,' Young added. He said he and Fatine may be different from other couples but they loved each other and being forced apart was their 'worst nightmare'. 'It doesn't matter to me that she is a transsexual. It's the person she is inside that I care about and love. I can't contemplate the idea of us not being together. 'I look at her and see a beautiful woman,' said Young, who first met Fatine in a Starbucks outlet at the Petronas Twin Towers in August 2006 when he was working as a security officer in Malaysia. He had asked Fatine if he could take the seat next to her. 'We started talking and I was immediately impressed by how good her English was. When she got up to leave, I asked for her number,' he said. Fatine then told him that he was a transsexual but Young was not put off and wanted to meet him again even if it was for friendship. The couple met several times after that and their feelings soon blossomed into love. In December last year, Young arranged for Fatine to travel to Britain on a visitor's visa but after a month's stay there, the couple applied to the Home Office for a Certificate of Approval to Marry. The couple then proceeded with a civil partnership, which they hoped would help Fatine in securing a permanent visa. Head of Immigration for the UK Border Agency, Matthew Coats, said Fatine had entered Britain as a visitor. 'The rules are clear that a visitor must leave the UK within six months but may reapply for a new visa from their country of origin,' he reportedly said.

So why did I post this?

Because Fatin is a friend of mine that I haven't seen in YEARS. Aku last jumpa dia once je... a few years pas aku kawan dia in 1999 ke 2000.

Pic sebelah ni, is a pic of her snapped in 2000 on the job masa dia make up artist for a major make up brand, when she was based working in the Golden Triangle area.

This pic was featured in Time magazine, if I'm not mistaken in July 2000. And yes... if I'm not mistaken too, this issue did not make the stands around Kuala Lumpur for some issues it tackled in it (details are sketchy... so won't confirm that)

I called Fatin to do this interview with a friend of mine who was a correspondent for the magazine and she obliged. She never forced people to accept her - but she wasn't going to crawl into a dark corner and cry about how people treated her for being 'different' in their eyes either.

Before you say anything, yes, it's obvious she's had some work done. She does look different. In fact, I wasn't sure it was her (name, profession matches - though she looks more fabulous than she did then... back then she was cute, now she's really pretty)

When I posted my status with the link to the story, one of my friends who met her through me confirmed it. Hizreen cakap memang Fatin yang kita kenal dulu.

My heart just goes out to her.

She was a pretty, quiet girl yang memang tak kaco sesapa, tak kecoh, tak sama cam adik-adik lain. She minded her own business and lived her life as one of the girls. Which I always thought of her as one - simply because to me - emotionally, she was one.

Aku tanak la debat pasal pe pe. Religious ke cultural ke. I'm talking as a person, Fatin seems very happy now, and it's sad for me, as someone who knew her, that she might lose all that to people who judge her.

God judges. We shouldn't.

And Fatin - all I can say is gurl, my prayers are with you. I hope you're happy, and I pray your happiness will not be taken away.

Tu je nak share... if you guys want to read more, here's another new bite from The Sun in the UK.

Strange kan.. after watching that stupid movie Twilight - New Moon last night, I know there are girls raving about how Bella can be so truly in love with a vampire and a werewolf - and secretly indulge in dream romances like that.

When it comes to reality however - they can't accept true love when they see it. Just because it's a different form from what they're used to.

Fatin - if you happen to come across my blog, contact me gurl. Miss you loads! Been forever since I last saw you. Lots of hugs.


PS - Semalam gi briefing for Project 500. May blog about it later, but not now. Left after the briefing - sebab meka treated those involved to a screening of Twilight - New Moon. Needless to say, I left after it was over to avoid the movie. No way in hell am I going to sit through that crap twice. Once was already one time too much. Had a nice time with friends trolling in Ikea (and yes... I gave in and bought stuff.. sigh) and then Hartamas Square for din din. Be blogging tomorrow.