A few cars cross every now and then but otherwise the streets are completely empty. On the other side of the road stands a beautiful, lonely blonde girl with a cigarette in her hand. When she finishes one, she takes out another. This is Noura, a transgender sex worker living in Damascus. I decided to cancel my reservation in that bar and go with Noura.
I went once into the supermarket to buy water, everything was usual, until they heard my voice indicating my biological sex, they kicked me out!
What is the relation between water and my voice? We took two bottles of beer and went to the spot Noura recommended. Syrian law criminalizes sex workers, and transgenders are punished with imprisonment for imitating women.
I ask her about her work, and if she uses any methods for sexually transmitted disease prevention. She bursts out laughing. You know nothing. They think it reduces their sexual lust. Strange, those emotions. She was laughing and grieving at the same time. Her body movements were very quiet. When the checkpoints ask me about my ID, the sex is recorded as male, however there is a sexy blonde girl in front of them.
A march of investigations and ridicule begins. The soldiers meet and start to insult. Once they are done, they take my money and let me leave. If it was in our country, I would have thrown a lot of men in prison. Her movements suddenly become confused. Noura went with her blond hair and bright lipstick to that traffic light in Jarmana, southern Damascus. I continue to watch her. Every once in a while, a passing car stands in front of her, she advances to the window and begins negotiating with the driver.
