The Eunuchs, etc.
Have you ever heard about the Hijra’s?
Hijra is a Hindi term traditionally translated into English as “eunuch”, which, as per Wikipedia’s definition, “refers to what modern Westerners would call male-to-female transgender people and effeminate homosexuals”. This word “eunuch” comes from the Greek word “eune”, which means “bed”, and “ekhein”, which means “to keep”. Therefore, a Eunuch was a “bed keeper.”
Hijras are usually clothed in the traditional Indian garb worn by women, “saris” and wear heavy make-up. They typically live in the margins of society, face discrimination and earn their living in various ways - by coming uninvited at weddings, births, new shop openings and other major family events and singing until they are paid or given gifts to go away. People believe that the Hijras possess certain occult powers and their blessings and curses are both powerful. Some Hijras go through different processes of castration by which their unwanted male appendages are dispensed. It’s almost like a ritual. After this process, the new hijra is taught about the clan’s customs and traditions, and is fed and looked after well by fellow hijras until he feels a sense of security and well-being.
In the past, The hijras had virtually no safe spaces, not even in their families, where they could be protected from prejudice and abuse. They faced, and still many of them face different kinds of prejudice, often of brutal nature, in public spaces, police stations, prisons and even in their homes. Most hijras are from lower middle-class background families, which makes them susceptible to harassment by the police.( countercurrents.org)
For many hijras, sex work was the only option because not everyone is willing to employ them because of their gender identity. They are the most vulnerable group as they are placed right at the bottom of the hierarchy of sex workers. This is because they cannot ensure that their customers practice safe sex. They also face the risk of violence both from customers and the police.
Here are some videos that talk about the plight and the lives of these hijras.
cnn.com part 1, cnn.com part 2, cnn.com part 3
In the Philippines, they are called “bakla”, or “bading”. They are often taunted and made fun of, but still considered a part of society. We don’t have a separate community for the “baklas”. Some “baklas” like to wear women’s clothing, and some remain attired as men. Unlike the hijras, the “baklas” can work together with ordinary people. They are not necessarily separated from the straight people. They can work in offices, schools, and can handle any position just as we all can.
In other countries like the US, and the UK, they are usually called “drag queens”. But drag queens don’t necessarily mean they are gay people. Some of them dress as women just for the purpose of performing on certain event. There are some, though who are really gay by nature.
Irregardless of what they are called, these people are human beings like all of us. We should be thankful that we were fortunate to be born normal and sure of our gender. Whatever they are or what they become is their choice, just as we make our own choices in life. They all deserve to be treated as human as we want ourselves to be treated by everyone around us.
…just my point of view…
