GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

I thought that this was an interesting article. It looks like there is one state in India (Coimbatore) that is a bit more progressive than most toward trans people. And there are apparently enough trans people there to make demands.

I don't know much about Indian culture except that the hijra (third sex) except that they are considered very low status in India and are usually only allowed to perform at ceremonies, beg or prostitute themselves to earn a living.


http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/17/stories/2008081755870100.htm

Hijra are all the lowest caste. I don't fancy their chances. Shovelling shite and cleaning out piss pots is about the best they can hope for.

The documentary I saw said the Hijra are not permitted to work at all by the government, and that their religios sect prohibits prostitution. So they can only beg in the street. But the local religious and/or superstitious beliefs also provide that they have the power to curse others, so the "begging" basically entails threatening to curse the locals to extort the charitable giving.

Well, at least India is open and honest about where it ranks its transfolks.

Thanks for that link Jillian. I always enjoy learning a bit more about other cultures. I googled COIMBATORE and read the Wiki. Very interesting place. Coimbatore

I think it might be nice to live there. I could possibly serve in some unimportant role to assist international cultural exchange efforts.

Comments about the similarities between the oldest profession and the second (politics) aside, hijra are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabnam_Mausi allowed to be politicians.
Like Shabnam Mausi