Just imagine yourself, who has been born as a transgender. How awkward would you feel when people refer you as a ‘third gender’ or as a person who isnt even considered as a human by the society? How mentally depressing it is when they stare and mock at you? How ill-treating it is when they dont even allow you to use either of the restrooms? Yes as you figured it out, in this blog post ill be sharing some of my thoughts on the plights transgenders face in their lives. Why do we treat them so, is a question that we would have asked ourselves many a times. Its all because of the fear in-built in us since our childhood, when we were asked not to talk or be good to them. Thats where everything went wrong.
Wikipedia defines transgender people as those who have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from their assigned sex. History speaks a lot about them. Transgenders are present everywhere in the world and its not a new concept at all. But talking about them on indian aspects, their community consists of Hijras, Eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, Jogappas, Shiv-Shakthis etc. In Hindu mythology, the literature named Kama Shastra an ancient Hindu text, they have been referred as ‘tritiyapakriti’ or third gender. It categorizes men who desire other men as a third nature. When Lord Rama, in the epic Ramayana, was leaving to the forest upon being banished from kingdom for 14 years, he asked his followers to leave back to the city and only the hijras decided to stay with him. Thus Rama sanctions them the power to confer blessings on people on auspicious occassions like childbirth and marriage where hijras sing,dance and confer blessings. Bahuchara Matha, the Hindu Goddess, is considered as the patronage of the Hijra community in India. They also worship Lord Shiva who merges with Parvati to form ‘Ardhanari’- half woman(Parvati) and half man(Shiva).
What causes a person to be transgender?
According to sciences, 3 major factors are involved in a child’s character developement- chemical/hormonal, genetic and environmental. Brain studies have found that, when the brains of transgender people are analyzed, they almost always consistently match the brain structure of their adopted gender, not their birth sex. And the crossing of the wrong hormones at that time of developement is another cause. The last factor is environmental which is least likely to happen. Children raised in an environment with other same sex siblings, only a year apart, can still show gender nonconfirmity, even though no other siblings do.
They might observe it from their way of cross dressing, or when they feel they are more like of the other sex or when they get feelings on people of their own sex. It has been proved that transgenders have been found even in olden times. But more women were getting tranformed into men because the society denied when a man behaved like a woman. Thus they lived their entire life with suppressed emotions and griefs. While many of them are transsexual as they desire medical asssistance, for the transition from one sex to the other.
When do we feel happy about ourselves? Its when we are let to live as we wish. But is it possible for them? Are they able to live in utmost happiness and joy?
As i am living in bangalore, i have witnessed so many trangenders suffering hard to lead their lives forward. They arent given job anywhere. Everyone feels scared and move away, when they approach us. We arent even respecting them, without even giving them a consideration for being born as a human. We all know it wasnt a crime they committed or a sin they are bound to live with. Still we are following what the society murmured in our ears “Dont look at them”, “stay away from them”, “they arent good people” and many more. We grew up hearing these phrases, then how will the society turn good?
But there are few people who try to manipulate this community, by dressing up in women’s attire and asks you money. They would even start being rude at you for not giving them what they asked for. Maybe this is the reason why people are scared of them. Whereas the true transgenders are nice and good-hearted. Few people who can understand their greifs and pain is what they require the most.
Science and technology have proved us that many of the things we belived isnt a fact, but just a myth. Likewise its time for us to overcome this issue as well. Its only because they are unemployed, they get on the roads and beg for money. Orelse they also would have led a better life like us and wouldnt have disturbed people to fulfill their needs. I think then these many problems wouldnt have occured in our society and they would have been treated well with full respect.
They are also coming up with their own communities and associations through which they are seeking justice and their rights to live. Another news to be shared is about the transgender couple about to tie the knot next month in Kerala.
I would like to publish posts regarding these kind of issues which are troubling the mankind desperately. Posts on rape case and syians life talk about the sufferings of people in a whole country. While this post is for the people who are part of the minor community of Hijras in India and people alike them all over the world.
I think its time for us to stand in their shoes, and make a move thoughtfully. Consider them as one among us. I know, our society is changing. Many educational institutions are being kind enough to educate them and give them a good future.
Interact with them. Speak out in support of transgender people and transgender rights. Support the ones who expearience descrimination. Learn about policies affecting them and work for their welfare. If you cant do it alone, work with any organizations and lift their lives into happiness. Because we were created not only to lead a good life but also to turn a greiving person’s life into a better one.
As John Bunyan said “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” Because we are meant to understand the differences. Try to recognize them as equal and normal part of our society and make the world a better place to reside in.