Bandar Seri Begawan - Transgenders in Brunei are crying foul as reports of law enforcement agencies conducting HIV/AIDS tests targeting the transgenders have begun to circulate among themselves.Last Tuesday, seven "cross dressers" were detained by the Royal Brunei Police Force in a two-hour operation codenamed "Operasi Pondan" and were reportedly subject to an HIV test. On the heels of World AIDS Day, the transgenders are outraged at what they say is "unfair" marginalisation and discrimination of their kin.Speaking to the Bulletin, one transgender living and working in Brunei sees the HIV testing of `pondans' as an "insult"."HIV is not only carried by homosexuals," said the 32-year-old hairstylist. "I have a successful career and I am a contributing member of society just like any other `normal' person."To hammer home the point, the hairstylist stated: "I wouldn't want to have AIDS either. I would like to be a `normal' person so I wouldn't be discriminated in public but I can't change who I am."Another local transgender also shared views towards alleged discrimination."For my own sake and others, I go for regular sexually-transmitted disease tests at a private clinic twice a year and I do not partake in promiscuous activities," said the civil servant, reminding the fact that even though they are transgenders, they are also first and foremost human beings, who are naturally inclined to prefer monogamous relationships....
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