Tue, Feb 20, 2007 - Page 12 News List

'Ladyboys' lead the way

Venus Flytrap is not a girl band in the strictest sense, but a "ladyboy" band

AFP , BANGKOK

"We are artists, we can offer any kind of performance," Gina said.

That doesn't mean that no one ever frowns on their shows or gives them disapproving looks, but the band says they have encountered far less negativity than they expected.

"We are a new phenomenon. I hope we are paving the way for other ladyboys. I hope society will be more open for them so that they can work, because they are able to work," said Krerkkong Suanyot, or Posh Venus.

Krerkkong, who has degrees in food science and humanities and is studying for a masters in political science, said she hopes her experience with the band will help earn recognition for other transsexuals.

They do have at least one musical edge on their pop star competitors, noted Ploypaitoon Moukprakaaiphed, or Hot Venus.

"I can sing as both a woman and a man," she said slyly.

The group does have a nagging concern that their rising celebrity might be based more on who they are, rather than how they sing, said Rachakorn Jaroensuk, or Sweet Venus.

"People know us, but they don't know what songs we sing," she said.

I hope audiences do look at us for our work, rather than just for being pretty," she added.

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