The Adaptation Process of the Waria Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School Community in Jetisharjo Hamlet, Yogyakarta City

Abstract

The existence of transgender in social life is often considered a form of social deviance such as negative perception, discrimination, and social marginalization so that their existence is not easy for the public to accept. In response to this condition, the transgender community in Yogyakarta established the Transgender Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School as a safe space and a center for religious guidance. After moving to a new neighborhood in Jetisharjo Village, this community again faced social challenges from the surrounding community. This study aims to find out the adaptation process of community at the Transgender Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School with the people of Jetisharjo Village. In addition, this study also wants to find out the difficulties faced by transvestites in the adaptation process. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach with observation techniques, documentation of Islamic boarding school activities, and in-depth interviews with three students and the head of the local RT. The concept of Soerjono Soekanto's adaptation used in this study refers to the process of individuals, groups, or social units adjusting to norms, changes, and conditions that occur. The results of the study show that the adaptation process is carried out through 'sowan' to the Head of RT and RW, inviting residents to Islamic boarding school activities, and involving the community to actively participate in social activities. However, the transgender community still faces obstacles such as initial rejection of the move, difficulties in building trust, residents' suspicion about the gay community to concerns about the bad influence on the children living around them.