Caught this documentary on National Geographic Channel just now...the topic was on trans-sexuals and how they live in their societies. The documentary featured 2 trans-sexuals from India and Thailand each. In India, they are called Hijras (castration is necessary for them to become one) and in Thailand they are known as Katoeys (sex change is often necessary).
In India, they have 7 such clans with a matriach each to take care and control the other hijras. They are known to be able to bless or curse others due to their nature. They will go to different families to find out if a newborn has arrived then they will begin their blessing ritual and earn their customary money. However, they are now often regarded as beggers as they will even go to shops or approach people in their vehicles for money. If these hijras don't get what they want, they will abuse or curse these people. They often work as prostitutes (offering their services for men who cannot afford real women) and are not offered alot of jobs as people despise them. Each year, they have a festival where they gather to celebrate their identity but at the end of the 5 days, the festival ends with sorrow as they become "widows" of their fate.
The documentary managed to interview one hijra who is actually a village political leader. They voted for this person because they believe that without a family, this person will devote time and effort to help the community and has since gained support and respect from quite a number of people. Although when there are political events, others will pronounce the hijras' arrival, they actually think that it is a joke and are scornful of the hijra. The people's intention was to mock the political leaders with regards to saying their incompetence in helping the community hence they had the idea of voting for a hijras, but in the end, the joke became real.
In Thailand, where there is greater acceptance, Katoeys generally work in the entertainment industry. They even have their own shows where people pay them to perform. The famous Toom was filmed as she returned to her hometown as a female for the first time since she became a woman. It was a emotional battle for her as she did not know how her neighbours, friends and family will react. Her story was made into a film and she gained alot of recognition as the thai boxer who became a katoey.
There was another katoey who was filmed in the documentary and she is a performer as well as a teacher in a private school (teaching youths thai languange). She is quite popular with her students and she told them to look at her inner core and not judge her by her exterior. She is here to impart knowledge to them not influence their values. She had her sex change operation only after she managed to have financial stability as she believed that without a job, she is not fit to become a woman.
In present day societies, where acceptance of different kinds of people is becoming greater, we have to learn to live in harmony and also be more understanding. However, we still have a long way to go before such groups can be fully integrated and achieve unity in our global societies.
P.S. Monday 11pm National Geographic Channel has a documentary on Nature's paradise...a discovery of untouched natural beauty.
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