India's Transgender Community: The Hijra | Style Out There | Refinery29
3,883,555
Published 2014-11-26
But, this journey isn't just for girls. For India's third gender, the hijra, that process of transformation is a much more complicated and fraught one to make. The label of "hijra" pertains to a diverse range of people who consider themselves outside of the cis categorization of male or female, but largely describes those born male who transition to female through a combination of gender affirmation surgery, taking on India's traditional feminine gender roles, and wearing women's clothing.
Though hijras were officially recognized by the Supreme Court in India in April of this year, which mandated their representation within government institutions, the idea of a "third gender" is not new there. Its origins go back thousands of years, and they have held cultural, political, and spiritual importance throughout history. But, like many in the global trans* community, they face incredible prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Even with their new legal recognition, hijras are still marginalized in a country where impoverished women do not have the same rights as their male counterparts. Since reliable doctors for sexual affirmation surgery are expensive and hard to find, many poor hijras seek out less-safe options. So, making the decision to transform at the risk of their own safety, civil rights, and personal health requires an incredible sense of identity. To hijra people, saris are a badge of honor, a symbol of self, and an armor against the world; it is their right.
With our host Asha Leo, we traveled to Coimbatore, India, to meet with a brave group of hijras in this episode of Style Out There. Watch as we explore their world and perspective, and how powerful a single piece of clothing can be.
For all Style Out There episodes, go to: bit.ly/Style-Out-There
Subscribe to the Refinery29 channel: bit.ly/subscribe-to-r29
For the latest trends and videos, visit: refinery29.com/
Like Refinery29 on Facebook: facebook.com/refinery29
Follow Refinery29 on Twitter: twitter.com/refinery29
Heart Refinery29 on Instagram: instagram.com/refinery29
All Comments (21)
-
I love how the interviewer is so engaged with them. she's not Awkward like other reporters
-
As an Indian myself, I feel like they get mistreated in India alot. I really love and support them. They deserve it.
-
This is so beautiful! I didn’t know that there was such a vibrant third gender community in India. There is also a beautiful one in Mexico, they are called Muxes.
-
The reporter looked so much at ease, really loved how she engaged with them, and she looked absolutely gorgeous in that indian attire--so so beautiful!!!!
-
This is amazing. But how they’re rejected by their families, the government and society is awful.
-
I really like this journalist. She seems to be very open about lots of things, knowledgeable, and respectful. In all the videos I've seen of her she is asking the right questions and representing different groups of people so respectfully. I also love how she interacts with the people and gets to know them on a higher level.
-
As a tamilian Hindu , I've visited MANY temples. And 90% of them have trans women begging outside of the temple. I've always wondered why they beg instead of getting a job and starting a life in their OWN homes with their families. But as I grew , I realized how the society mocked them for having a different sexual identity (transphobic ppl). They use adjectives like "adhu" which translates to "this/that/it". Our society doesn't really treat the Trans community like they should be. I also learned that they're kicked out of their homes for coming out as Trans. As they believe that transgenders go "against" nature. Not only Trans people, the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Its 2020 now and I hope people will realize the importance of acceptance.
-
When the reporter put on that Sarry she looked so Gorgeous. Beauty inside and out.
-
"The passion to become a woman made my mind strong." Wow, that is beautiful. Dhana seems like a fascinating woman.
-
This video shows how poisonous colonialism truly is to the world and how it has damaged and destroyed beautiful cultures.
-
We used to have this concept of third sex in the Philippines too, before colonial era. It was probably influenced by this hindu concept. They were called "babaylan". Well, it is debatable whether babaylans are actually female priestess, but it is widely known that there are babaylans who are not male nor female and they hold a special role in pre-hispanic Philippine society as shamans or priestesses who blesses people. When the Spaniards came, they banned such things as they spread Christianity over the islands, and persecuted those babaylans because it is seen as sinful in Christian point of view.
-
"These women are so courageous" she sums it up perfectly.Period.
-
I think that Indian fashion is some of the most beautiful in the world.
-
I smiled throughout the whole video. Only when they talked about getting shunned from their families did the smile dissappear. They seem like wonderful people!
-
When I was a kid I was very confused why transgender people visited whenever a baby is born or when someone builds a new house. As I grew up, I got to know the connection this holds with god and yet their families and society decide to reject them. I hope in future all the genders are treated with equal respect and dignity.
-
Honestly....., people should LET people be!
-
Let them study, let them work. But abusing them people insult a god's creation
-
My mother was an Indian transgender woman. God bless her and God bless America and India.
-
I'm happy that my fellow transgender women are living a peaceful life there
-
Then british colonialism happened and destroyed all the respect they had in society. And that hardwiring goes on till now.
