Third Gender
(..By - Udaya Ku. Rana)
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| Laxmi bomb poster |
This topic is quite different, isn't it?
I know many will think it’s a silly topic. Oh! I
was thinking so before a year. But, let me explain the event which changed my
thinking.
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| TG In Train |
What does it mean?
Third gender may defined as individuals categorized
either by themselves or by society neither completely male nor female. Or these
are other then male or female sex. In Indian according to order of Supreme Court
transgender (TG) is identified as third gender (WRIT PETITION (CIVIL)
NO.604 OF 2013).
So
Transgender is a term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of
themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from that usually
associated with their birth sex. Many transgender people live part-time or
full-time as members of the other gender. Broadly speaking, anyone whose
identity, appearance, or behavior falls outside of conventional gender norms
can be described as transgender.
Transgender
identity is not a mental illness that can be cured with treatment. Rather,
transgender people experience a persistent and authentic difference between our
assigned sex and our understanding of our own gender.
The most common word “Hijra” is a Urdu Hindustani word derived from Arabic root “hrj”
in sence of leaving one tribe.
Synonyms:
Transgender s are commonly known as Hijra or Kinner .
Hinjida, Hinjda, Chaka (In Odia) Kojja (in telugu) Khusra, Jankha (in Punjabi)
Pavaiyaa (in Gujrati) Aravani (in Tamilnadu) Khwaja Sira (in Pakistan).
Current Scenario of Transgender:
The
transgender community is not only limited to South Asia, but also found in
different areas like:
Australia: Here transgender can put a
sign as “X” other than male and female.(Since 2003)
Germany
: According to rule in Germany there is abscent of gender mark in birth
certificate. (from November 2013)
New Zealand : Passport is available for
transgender s with X- sign (un specified) since December 2012.
Japan :
here X- Genders are consider as third gender.
Nepal :
Since December 2007 transgender s are categorized as Others group.
Philippines
: Here also transgenders are grouped as others.
Thailand
: Here transgenders are known as Kathoeys or Lady boys. They are categorized as
Others.
Pakistan
: In the first count of 2009 around
80,000 to 3,00,000 number of TG were reported.
India :
The
transgender community has been reported since 2005. Third genders are
categorized under “Others” from November 2009. In the first count around 4.9 Lakhs of TG were reported.
In Odisha
according to 2011 census around 20,000 to 25,000 number of TG were reported.
Present Fate of TG in India:
It seems that India is the highest transgender containing
country. But, unfortunately may be due to lack of either opportunity or
mentality, most of them are involved in awful profession like Begging. TGs are
common in Railway Platforms, in Trains as well as in buses. Transgender s are
abusing the common citizens in various ways may be in physically or mentally.
In other hand Transgender s are also abused by others
also. Many of the transgender s are working as sex workers. They have adopted
Prostitution without getting any opportunity (Fact-Finding Mission to
Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, 2015, by Human Rights Law Network New Delhi, India
110014). Around 17 to 41% of Transgender s of India are HIV infected with out better health facilities.
But now
situations have changed a little. Around the country, laws, policies and
attitudes are changing, making life better for transgender people overall. Now
Transgender s are being developed in Educational as well as employment sectors.
There is equality for TGs in job sectors as well as considered as others group
having cota system.
Recently 23 transgender people who have landed a job at Kochi Metro Rail.
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| TG |
Causes of being Transgender:
According to a resource from “National Center for
Transgender Equality, Washington, DC 20005” (May 2009) the causes of
transgender may be:
ü Non expression/ Imbalance/ Fluctuation of sex hormone
during Pregnancy.
ü Genetic Disorder/ Mutation in sex chromosome.
ü Absent of Scrotum (testis remain in abdominal cavity)
during birth of male child,
ü Development of male genital symptom in Female and
development of male secondary sexual character in female.
ü Excess secretion of opposite sex hormone due to
abnormality.
ü Premenstrual syndrome during puberty.
ü Psychological factors on child or adult.
ü Manually selected life style (wearing opposite gender
clothes, using of cosmetics by male etc.)
Would I convert to a transgender?
This question may arise in your mind after reading the
causes. Infect this is not impossible. Anyone can change to transgender
naturally due to mutation and fluctuation in Hormonal secretion. Don’t worry, it is very rare. It seems that
older age person have very very less influence. Very less percent of children
(may be from age 2 or 3 yr) feel like TG.
As anyone can desire anything in the society, one can
change him/herself to transgender by using Hormone Therapy or Surgery. The
feminizing Hormone Therapy is most popular one in which Gender can be changed
by using Estrogen hormone for male to female (MTFs) and Testosterone hormone
for female to male (FTMs) conversion. The effect will be visualized with in
around one to two years.
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| TG |
References:
Ø Understanding transgender, National Center for
transgender equality, Washington D.C. 20005.
Ø Transgender individuals and gender identity, American
Psychological association.
Ø
Centre for
Sexuality and Health Research and policy(c-SHARP) India.
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