From The Independent UK: “India’s ‘Third Sex’ Win a Measure of Public Acceptance”

A friend passed this article to me this morning and I thought I’d do a quick comment on it; both in regards to the Hijra’s progress specifically as well as it’s reflection of wider themes.

While far from perfect, as one woman points out, the recent progress for the Hijra has been remarkable. Particularly the ability to put ‘other’ on a legal document when it comes to gender. While personally I have said that I would (and have) always put ‘female’, what this has done is legitimized the Hijra’s place within society. The article addresses the positive steps forward, but doesn’t go into the fact that when you give that designation, it helps make something more visible. Naturally, I am not defending the caste system, but these moves have taken the Hijra from being invisible in a legal sense, and othered, to at least having a stronger place  within society.

I am not sure if I am making much sense, today the words aren’t flowing today as easily as they usually do. However, I will say that it’s been personal experience that giving something a name, or giving it a designation/ purpose is a remarkable thing. In terms of the Hijra, where at least now they have a little more means of making themselves known, but also the acknowledgment that there is a place in society now. Let me see… When I was younger, at first I was confused and scared about what I was (in terms of being a transwoman). Then there was the anger of “Why did this happen to me?”. The problem is that in western society where we don’t even acknowledge transsexuals (and what little is spoken about us ends with a punchline), there feelings of being invisible and the feelings of being illegitimate get to you. The silence is deafening.

When Cybele opened her temples to and called the Gallae, She gave not only a home but a purpose and an identity to those who needed it most. To an extent, as I wrote in a previous post, one reason why I wish to increase the presence of Cybeline faith is because of this reason. Call it silly, but when you are so angry, so confused and so lost; to have a purpose and a place is a gift. What does this have to do with the Hijra? Well, the Hijra are one of the oldest transsexual communities with a history which goes back thousands upon thousands of years. While these reforms are not perfect, the government extends in a small way what Cybele did for the Gallae; acknowledgment, legitimacy and a feeling that they are being understood.

Indeed the question at the end of this article reflects the question of why western cultures do not acknowledge trans people. Like the Hijra, many trans women today live in very poor conditions, cannot find a home, cannot find work and turn to sex work as they have no other option. However, we don’t acknowledge the community. Seriously, many people whom I meet tell me that I am the first transsexual they have ever met (not true, but the first which has been willing to talk about it). There’s a curiosity there because I am something new, something that they have never thought about before because again, we are not talked about. But we are here. We have always been here. We were here before European settlers, it’s well known that First Nations people acknowledged and had a place for transsexuals. Hell, nearly every ancient civilization and many modern ones do; except the western ones.

In the end, why am I advocating a place for transsexuals when I spend so much time trying to blend in? Because despite being all female, I am still a transsexual. While not related through blood (almost certainly given many castration practices), I come from a group which has a history, which has had traditions, faith and a place within society which was stripped of it relatively recently. I am part of a community with unique challenges, whom will experience things others will not which are unique to the community (exactly how many non-trannies get sex changes or even change their gender role within society?). This should be acknowledged, and it is important because for every one of me who has the resources to write a blog post like this, there are thousands more who are invisible. I am one of the lucky ones.

Perhaps it’s religion, one of the major points of monotheism was the set in stone biological essentialist view of sex. As much as most in society wouldn’t consider themselves to be particularly religious, those values still permeate through society. Perhaps it’s our disconnect from history, which might be influenced by monotheism, but when we are constantly moving forward we tend to discard history as silly or primitive. Even if it happened a mere hundred years ago.

I believe I have made my point. For some reason I really can’t write today… Also it’s gorgeous out and I’m going to grab a coffee and go for a walk. The point is the title of this post, silence is deafening. With the progress the Hijra have made, it alleviates that to an extent. Also that western society seems increasingly disconnected from history, which not only neglects the rich traditions and faiths of old but is also extremely dangerous… and hurtful to people like myself. There are many who believe we are the product of surgical advances of the 20th century.

- Jade

P.S. I am not sure if it is possible, but during a pilgrimage to the area I would like to live with the Hijra for some time. I know it is dangerous and a far cry from my culture, but perhaps I feel an urge to explore transsexual culture.

P.P.S. “The silence was deafening.” is one of my favourite expressions, so much so I started ‘The Lady General’ with something thematically similar.

posted by Jade Castillo
Tags: Cybele, Gallae, Hijra, Transsexuality
Filed under: Transsexuality