Beyond the vulnerabilities, many individuals find empowerment through transition and community:
Discrimination in mainstream employment often funnels these individuals into specific sectors, most notably the entertainment and sex industries. ladyboys in extreme sex
Research shows that kathoey sex workers who have experienced family abuse are less likely to use protection, increasing the risk of HIV and other STDs. Specialized "ladyboy bars" can also put workers at risk when customers refuse to use condoms. Identity and Personal Agency Identity and Personal Agency Many kathoey use Theravada
Many kathoey use Theravada Buddhism to frame their identity, sometimes viewing their gender status as a result of "bad karma" while simultaneously performing acts of merit to improve their future rebirths. Vulnerabilities in the Sex Industry Beyond the vulnerabilities
The intersection of gender identity and sex work creates heightened risks, often described in narratives of "extreme" or coercive experiences: