While Indonesians are mourning trans icon Dorce Gamalama, her death has been clouded in controversy surrounding her funeral. Specifically, what gender she should be buried as.
Dorce famously went on the record earlier this year to express her wish to be buried as a woman, inciting pushback from religious authorities. True enough, she was reportedly buried as a man yesterday.
Also Read — Indonesian trans icon Dorce Gamalama passes away at 58
Despite outrage from those who wanted to see Dorce get her wish, another Indonesian trans icon has offered a philosophical take on the controversy. Designer Asha Smara Darra, who’s a transwoman, posted this touching tribute to “Bunda” (mother) Dorce on Instagram, set to the cover of legendary French singer Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose by Emily Watts.
“Rest in peace Bunda Dorce. They can do whatever they want — but Bunda Dorce’s soul sleeps peacefully as a dignified woman,” her post reads.
Asha, who was born Oscar Lawalata, came out as a transwoman in August 2020. Despite having chosen a new name, Asha said that she doesn’t mind people calling her by her old name because “they already knew her as Oscar.”
Dorce passed away at a hospital in West Jakarta on Wednesday morning due to COVID-19 and other recent health issues. It was previously reported that Dorce often checked in and out of hospital due to diabetes. Her health began deteriorating last October, when she needed the aid of a wheelchair as she was unable to walk. The artist was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which affected her memory and speech.
