Living a double life
Faiza Mirza | 6 hours ago
http://dawn.com/2012/06/11/living-a-double-life-2/Karachi, the city of lights is known to accommodate everyone regardless of their caste, colour or creed. It camouflages all that is not appealing to the eye and shelters many that seek refuge in its arms. From the hubbub of the day to the mysterious calm of the night, the city truly never sleeps and neither do its residents.
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During such a night I met Rahat*, a ->-bleeped-<-, who stands outside one of the most famous automobile showrooms at Clifton and waits for his client everyday. Dressed and dolled up like a woman, it is difficult to assess his real self on the surface. However, the story of his life and struggle is an open question mark to our double standards and so-called ethical norms.
"I am an educated man and I was not born this way. I worked as a salesman for three years but then I was sacked. I looked for a job for 10 months and then I met a group of people who offered me to work as a ->-bleeped-<-. Initially, I was appalled at the offer; however, with several mouths to feed at home my options were limited," said Rahat.
"I am a man and during the day I stay that way but as soon as the sun sets, I disguise myself as a ->-bleeped-<- and wait for scavengers to feed on me so that I can feed my family. I can transform myself into a gigolo, dancer, prostitute and many other things which are considered 'unacceptable' by the same set of people in the society who ironically happen to be my clients," added Rahat.
