Dita Alangkara / AP

Evie, the former nanny of U.S. President Barack Obama, stands at the doorway of her room at a boarding house in a slum in Jakarta, Indonesia on Jan. 27, 2012. Evie, who was born a man but believes she is really a woman, has endured a lifetime of taunts and beatings because of her identity.

The Associated Press today published an exclusive interview with the transgender former nanny who looked after Barack Obama during his childhood in Indonesia. Evie, who was born a man but believes she is a woman, has fond memories of the young future President, who was known back then as "Barry":

Evie was 8-year-old Barry's caretaker, playing with him and bringing him to and from school.

Neighbors recalled that they often saw Evie leave the house in the evening fully made up and dressed in drag. But she says it's doubtful Barry ever knew.

"He was so young," says Evie. "And I never let him see me wearing women's clothes. But he did see me trying on his mother's lipstick, sometimes. That used to really crack him up."

Evie, who has faced a lifetime of taunts and beatings because of her identity, says that she has now decided it's better to hide her true feelings. Read the full story.

Dita Alangkara / AP

Evie holds a picture of herself, left, dressed as a woman for a pageant.