Non-Binary Genders Cultures

For some, gender is fixed, male and female. We in the West now recognize that is not necessarily so, there are others, usually fitting within the LGBTQ spectrum. That is us, but actually there are other cultures who more formally recognize genders going beyond male and female.

• The Hijra of South Asia, mainly India. They do suffer from marginalization, but since 2014 have been given some recognition when India, Bangladesh and Nepal recognized the rights of non-binary people.
• The Bugis of Sulawesi recognize 3 genders besides male and female, Calalai who are women exhibiting male characteristics, Calabai who are men exhibiting feminine characteristics, and Bissu who can be either and are the priests. They have had to adapt to Islam, but have still managed to retain their cultural norms.
• Muxe among the Zapotec people in the Oaxaca region of Mexico who are men who have female identity.
• The Sekrata among the Sakalawa people in Madagascar who are male who when they are perceived as having feminine traits as children are raised as girls and recognized as a separate gender.
• The Two-Spirit people among several North American indigenous cultures, people who are recognized to embody both male and female spirits.

It’s comforting to know that some cultures think outside the box!

*reposted from GGID page