The other day I was stuck in traffic and a ‘hijra’ walked by me. Almost instinctively my driver raised the windows. And then I realised it’s a little bit like the domino effect. The way our society perceives transgender people, and the way they react is much like a vicious circle.
I do not mean to generalise, and this doesn’t reflect my views on transgender folks. I mean it more with regard to this particular sub-community. The average, not-so-open-minded person is afraid of transgender people. They come to weddings, they arrive when a baby is born, and they must be paid. This average man thinks of them as unnatural, and since we always brush things that don’t conform to our notions under the carpet, he does just that. He gives them some money and gets them off his premises.
A ‘hijra’ gets on a train with the intention of extorting (very strong word yes, but that’s what they do) money, and does just that. She knows the effect that she can have on people, and exploits it to the fullest.
So basically, there are two sides to the coin. Society thinks transgender people are unnatural. (Some) Transgender people use this to their advantage. Lose-lose situation. No one wins. The average guy is an ignorant, presumptuous jerk. And the ‘hijra’ is only harming her own cause. And that of her community.
I think I get the reason behind the average’s guy reactions. Just like all of us, he’s scared of what he doesn’t understand. Just like some homosexuals are also homophobes. What I don’t understand is why ‘hijras’ do what they do? Why make money at the cost of degrading yourself?
So what I do is to say no. I don’t raise my window, I don’t pay, and I don’t walk away. I just say no. Because that person is no less than me. She is my equal. To give in would be to acknowledge that ‘hijras’ are inferior to me. One day I want to tell them, “You are in no way any different from me. Each of us is different, but all of us are equal. And when you do this, you make yourself a little less equal than others.”
Let’s have more schemes, more beauty pageants, make some movies to help people understand. Let’s not have this anymore though.
This is very enlightening. Thank you. I honestly did not know that hijras were trans people. Thought they all had Turner’s Syndrome- XO chromosome (neither XX or XY). Thank you for this post.
La Vida, The syndrome you are talking about is for intersex people and thats not the only syndrome. Not all hijras are necessarily intersexed though I will put everyone under as trans – Anyone who does not believe that their birth biological body does not match what they feel. Many choose to castrate, sometimes before puberty, to prevent the onset of hormones. This is why you will find us looking androgynous. The reason is the bio male body on castration, (medically called, orchiedectomy), removes the testes (the gonads) that secretes the testesterone. So when the body does not produce them, you will not see any manly features – voice deepening, body hair (relatively more in men), adam’s apple enlargement, male pattern baldness in adult males will be prevented.
If you feel geekish and would like to know more about the biological body and its relation to hormones, email me. I can fill you more on these scientifc details.
@la vida loca – I would put anyone who does not fit into the cisgender world as trans.
@Jane – When you are kicked away from family, not admitted in schools, not given jobs, what do you think people can do for living? Let me guess – Prositution, Begging? Isn’t this the same force young girls from poor, naive families are driven into the flesh trade out of force? And once you get into it, the society taints you. Not everyone is born an Einstein; That is why we need affirmative action – a legal basis for promoting equality , for unsetting the bias. The problem with society, particularly Indian, is its always a case of “us” and “them”. We always find ways to be divisive and not think of “us” as a universal “US”. This is exactly what activists like Kalki are doing. Her Sahodari foundation , helps educate and also provides vocational training so the folks on the street can stand on their feet and earn a livelihood. This is what we all should be doing.
The driver probably would have done the same thing for all those young kids forced into begging by parents, goondas (even the extreme cases as portrayed in Slumdog millionaire).
The ironical part is a lot of communities in India view the trans community as blessed and as a symbol of fertility (insane isn’t it? when we do not like the very basis tool for procreation). That is why trans folks are invited to weddings, child birth and other auspicious festivals.
“They need to be paid” – Well you invtie someone to bless and you would not pay them? That sounds mean to me. Yes, there is some ruckus at times, but as you mentioned towards the end, if we instill confidence in the marginalised then they will earn their self respect.
The average guy is stupid. i would rather chastise them for their behavior, which would surely be the first form of activism.
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///The ironical part is a lot of communities in India view the trans community as blessed and as a symbol of fertility (insane isn’t it? when we do not like the very basis tool for procreation).
This might really be a way of promoting harmony within the community…Ofcourse that is a post hoc rationalization, and may be suspect…:) but it has taught me not to diss something, just because it is an old habit…but to try to see if it addresses a problem.
Otherwise, it is pretty much a socialogical chicken and egg problem , i think…:)
When nobody hires hijras to do any work, they really have no options but to beg, prostitute themselves or extort. If it were me I’d choose extortion over begging and prostitution too.
It’s not the right thing to do but sometimes there is no right or wrong. Just choices between rocks and hard places.
It’s really sad that they have to do this.
Rashmi- thank you so much. And yes, please more info is much appreciated. Couldn’t find email for you. Thanks!
How else do you propose that they make money? Will you or anyone else of stature employ them? If they were auto mechanics, would you take your car to them for repair? If they were chefs, would you enter their restaurants?
….You need not answer these hypothetical questions…
I just want everyone to know that transgenders are forced to live along the margins of society. They can find little opportunity open for them in the way of traditional employment.
I say…Remember this fact, the next time that a transgender walks by your car. Hand them the equivalent of lunch in coins. Then tell them that you support them and their cause with a smile, fully understanding their plight and their struggle. Truly align yourself with the certain progressive and continual force of human expression. Rethink your thoughts about hijras degrading themselves by alternative methods of receiving monetary means of support.
There are many who need to be eduacted here. While the Hijras are being educated vocationally, the rest of us need to be educated about another portion of humanity.