Transgender sex workers face abuse by military in Ivory Coast

[Shana A]

Transgender sex workers face abuse by military in Ivory Coast

By Associated Press,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/transgender-sex-workers-face-abuse-by-military-in-ivory-coast/2012/12/10/36432774-42d8-11e2-8c8f-fbebf7ccab4e_story.html

warning: violence triggers

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — It seemed like a case of simple blackmail. Late one night last month, two cars carrying around 10 soldiers pulled up to a group of prostitutes in Abidjan's Vallon neighborhood and began demanding bribes.

To save themselves, some of the women in the group approached the soldiers and told them what they knew would divert their attention: They pointed to a sex worker cowering among them who goes by the street name of Raissa. And they sold her out.

The soldiers cornered her, stripped her and discovered her secret: Raissa, who requested that her real name not be used out of fear for her safety, is not a woman at all, but rather a man dressed as one. They savagely beat her with their belts.

Such scenes have become routine since the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast assumed control of Abidjan in April 2011 at the end of a five-month conflict to oust ex-President Laurent Gbagbo and install his elected successor, Alassane Ouattara.

[Shana A]

Transgender Sex Workers in Ivory Coast Face Abuse

Robbie Corey-Boulet
December 19, 2012

http://www.voanews.com/content/transgender-sex-workers-in-ivory-coast-face-abuse-discrimination/1567766.html

ABIDJAN — Transgender sex workers in Ivory Coast say they face a long list of hardships, including social stigma, low pay and - more recently - attacks from the national army.  However, the women say they continue to work the streets because it is the only chance they have to truly be themselves.

In a small apartment in Abidjan's Koumassi neighborhood, two young women lounge about watching Mexican soap operas dubbed in French. Frilly lace curtains partially filter out the midday sun, which bounces off bright pink walls. A poster of Lady Gaga adorns a wall.

The women are waiting for sundown, when their workday begins. They are both transgender sex workers.

At night, they patrol one of two strips in Abidjan that are frequented by sex workers.