The Hijras of India

THE HIJRAS OF INDIA

Hijra people are of a religious group in India who identify themselves as third

gender, considered by themselves and the Indian culture as neither men nor woman. These communities have existed for generations by welcoming young boys who have fled or were rejected by their family. Some of the Hijra's were born as "eunuch" or hermaphrodite which then they are deemed destined Hijra's and welcomed by the community as a young child. Other Hijra's may exercise their right to voluntarily removal their male genitalia, in which some communities of Hijra this is the only way to be "true" Hijra.

The Hijra people are devoted to their Goddess Buhuchara Mata, an Indian mother goddess. They are viewed by the Indian culture to represent the mother goddess in which Hijra's possess such power from the goddess in their blessings. Indian society believe that in obtaining a blessing onto heterosexual marriages or infant sons by Hijra it will ensure fertility and any

infant males will grow to be masculine males. They will traditionally be invited to a home in which a child is born or a person is to be wed and celebrate with song and dance dressed as woman. Hijra's then perform a special blessing upon the individual and their family in the name of Goddess Buhuchara Mata. In exchange for such blessing they receive cash and goods from those attending the blessing.

Other Hijra's would rather prostitution to earn their money and goods. Although prostitution is frowned upon in the Hijra community many will continue to do so as it does earn them good money. Many will sleep with men to earn their money. Ideally hijras are meant to refrain from sex and be devoted to Goddess Bahuchara Mata.

None the less all Hijras are apart of one community in which there are households where each member has a specific role in the home. Each home has a Guru who functions as a teacher or a mother figure. Prostitution is also run out of such homes with the permission and supervision of their Guru who then will collect either part of or all of the earning in return for the Hijra's shelter, food and protection.

Other Hijra's have committed relationships or even have husbands and live together as husband and wife. They have the same relations as any married couple but laws do not view them as legally bound or having a law abiding marriage. These 'marriages' are usually keep secret from the community.

In Indian society they do not view Hijra's as homosexual beings since they are not viewed as the same gender as their male partners. Hijra's are not looked at as men since they have no desire for woman or to participate in masculine tasks. They also rather to dress in

feminine clothing and activities. Although not viewed as woman either since they are unable to menstruate or give birth.

This proves that transgender communities are all over the world and each society and cultural background view such people differently. In India the Hijra's are considered spiritual beings whose blessings are welcomed and rewarded for. In America people who are feminine or dress in feminine clothing when they are male are considered transgender and 'freaks'.

In India they view the Hijra's as third gender a gender all their own, neither man nor woman. In America most people living such lives are shunned and not welcome. American society do not see transgender, gay or lesbians as a third gender such as India with the Hijra community. Many American communities feel such people are against all moral and religious belief, that they should not exist or be given any rights.

Although the Hijra community are not given many rights as far as marriage they are still respected by many in the Indian society and welcomed. They are held to such high standards and are invited into many homes for blessings for newly-weds and newborns. Hijra's have held generations of respect and honor given by the Indian community.

Why not welcome the third gender community in America instead of denying them their Human Rights. Gender Identity is one of the least understood for human kind. Many have their own opinions but no facts or solid information or research, all theories. Gender is primarily defined on physical appearance, facial hair, body type or mannerism. Gender Identity is misunderstood, when