Somros "Rose" Pholjaroen, 19, jumps into the ring. Wearing full makeup and a feminine top, she is ready to fight.
Rose is a transgender Muay Thai fighter.
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Since the age of 8, Rose has competed in over 70 competitions. She competes in the men's category at 150 lbs. Rose is one of only a few kathoey fighters in Thailand. Kathoey (กะเทย) is the Thai term for a transgender person.
Transgender people are generally accepted in Thailand. The draft for Thailand's new constitution could recognize a third gender, which would allow individuals the right to not have to identify with the sex assigned to them at birth.
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As a trans Muay Thai fighter, Rose is quite popular and is generally treated well in her hometown of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat). Rose's friends and family are very accepting of her gender identity.
In the ring, Rose says that some opponents make disrespectful comments and gestures or refuse to fight her due to her gender identity. But other opponents congratulate her.
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Traditionally, men fight shirtless. Rose has turned down matches because she refused to fight shirtless. When Rose fights in her home region of Isaan, she can wear what she likes. Even certain stadiums in Bangkok, like Omnoi Stadium, allow her the freedom of personal expression, according to Vice.
Rose started taking non-prescribed hormones in high school, but the estrogen made Rose put on weight. She suffered a loss of endurance, strength and power. Though she liked how she looked when estrogen started taking effect on her body, she decided to put her fighting career before her physical transition. She stopped taking the pills shortly after starting.
Rose is considering gender reassignment surgery after her fighting career.
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