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Paula Bronstein / Getty Images
Pom, a ladyboy dancer at the Chiang Mai Cabaret show, performs on stage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sept. 8, 2012.
Paula Bronstein / Getty Images — The Cabaret show is the only one in Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city, performed daily on a stage at a small theater. Kathoeys, or ladyboys, are very visible and widely accepted in Thai culture, often called the third gender. Many find employment performing for tourists in Cabaret shows while several popular Thai models, singers and movie stars are also kathoeys. The term Kathoey can refer to males who exhibit varying degrees of femininity. Most kathoeys dress as women and undergo medical procedures such as breast implants, hormones, and silicone injections.
A ladyboy dancer takes a glue gun to her bra to quickly fix her costume backstage before a performance in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sept. 8.
Lily throws a kiss on the cheek for a Japanese tourist after the show at the Chiang Mai Cabaret, Sept. 9.
Dream, a ladyboy dancer at the Chiang Mai Cabaret show, stands in the night market recruiting tourists before a performance on Sept. 8.
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Lily, a ladyboy dancer, puts on lipstick backstage before a performance on Sept. 9.
Earrings and makeup brushes wait for use at Christy's seat backstage as dancers get dressed before a performance on Sept. 8.