Difference between Transgender and Hijras
The world is abounded with third sex, i.e., transgender or eunuchs or Hijras. But many people don’t know the difference between these two; rather, they are unaware of the facts. Let’s reach into the tunnel of science and dig out the major difference between transgender and Hijras.
Who is Transgender?
Transgender people may be considered as homosexual, bisexual, pan-sexual, asexual, or poly sexual. It cannot only apply to a certain form of a certain orientation. When we go through its definitions, there are many definitions in which one states that “people who are assigned a sex at the time of birth and based on their genitals, but they usually believe that something is wrong with their identity”
Transgender people have gender expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth. Some transgender people who need medical assistance to transition from one sexual identity to another are called transsexual. Transgender is independent of sexual orientation. They identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.
Who are Hijras?
Considering Hijras; it is firstly a South Asian term. Hijras are males who have a feminine gender identity, and it is a description or a belief of South-Asian culture. They adopt feminine gender roles and mostly appear in the attire of females. In this sex, inter sex people are also involved. Here, it is the state of ambivalence; it is not certain whether they are males or females. They are known by different names in the Indian subcontinent. They are known as aravani, aruvani, jagappa, chhakka or kinner. The Hijras community is seeking their identity on behalf of their own eunuch government.
They are now called as ‘third sex or gender’. There is a religious act named “Nirwaan” that is adopted by many Hijras at the stage of beginning. This includes the eradication of cutting off the male organ.
Transgender vs. Hijras
Let’s now study in detail the difference between these two:
What does medical science say?
As far as transgender is concerned, it is a state where a person identifies by gender orientation and not as a member of a community. On the other hand, Hijras who have a physiological feminine gender identity and mostly appear in female’s attire.
What kind of people are involved in these two identities?
When it comes to transgender people who do not identify exclusively with their gender, they are the cross-dressers. It includes pre-operative and post-operatives, and non-operative transsexuals who generally feel that they are born into the wrong physical body. There is also a notion of those who feel that they are not suitable for the social expectations. Intersex people are also involved in it.
On the other hand, when it comes to the Hijras, it involves only Males; they particularly don’t have any sex orientation. More specifically, they challenge the sexual orientations and consider them a new gender- ‘the third gender’.
Under which tendencies can they come?
Transgender can come under any sexual orientation like:
- Heterosexual
- Homosexual
- Bisexual
- Pansexual
- Poly-sexual
- Asexual
- And sometimes both genders
On the other hand, Hijras come under males. In this tendency, inter-sexual mostly comes.
Problems faced by transgender and hijras:
Transgender and hijras face the problem of transgender congruence, i.e., they find it difficult to feel genuine, authentic, and comfortable in their external appearances and accept their genuine identity. They go through gender dysphoria. If provided, they need to seek hormone replacement therapy, sex reassignment surgery, or psychotherapy. But not all transgender individuals desire these treatments. Some are comfortable and in harmony with their gender identities and roles.
How can discrimination knock on their door?
Transgender people who are transitioning may be vulnerable to discrimination. Transgender and hijras have to go through discrimination in the workplace, educational institutes, public places, and healthcare. Although strict laws are made to protect the rights of ‘the third gender‘, yet some governments and some anti-social groups do not acknowledge their existence and call their identity a psychological illness. There is also an important point to be noted that they will have a strong need for the support of family and friends. On the other hand, Hijras face discrimination in the society. However, there is also a respect for them, if you are passing by a market and Hijras instantly come and beg for money, you give alms for the sake of religious purpose. Because their curse is not considered a good omen, rather it can hurt you.
Sexual Relations
When it comes to transgender individuals, there is no particular sexual or gender orientation. In short, according to the biologists and socialists, they can have sexual relations according to their desire. Generally, sexual relationships are mostly carried out with the same gender as the person. For example, a transgender person can transform into a male and also can transform into to female so that he or she can havea relationship with the opposite sex.
Is there any legalization for them?
Transformation of transgender people is legalized in many countries, but still there are several countries that don’t allow the transformation of genders. There are no laws made for the legalization of the Hijras community. However, there are constant efforts made by many Hijras activists for official recognition as a third gender. The day-to-day efforts are made for them so that they will no longer fight for their own identity. What is your opinion about them?
Beyond Labels: Understanding Transgender and Hijra Identities
In gender talks, we mix up identities that should be perceived separately. Transgender and Hijra, two labels improperly used interchangeably, are not synonymous. Both are separate with their background, problems, and meanings.
Transgender individuals feel a mismatch between their sex of birth and their true gender identity. It’s not cultural identity. It’s extremely individual. Some might medically transition; others might not. But each and every one of them just wants to be themselves.
Hijras, however, are deeply rooted in South Asian culture. Their gendered self too is highly communal. Frequently male at birth, Hijras become feminine in role and expression, creating a community of ritual, blessing, and even spiritual veneration. They have been in society since time immemorial, but being accepted is complicated.
Discrimination hunts both. Trans people must deal with employment discrimination, restricted access to medical treatment, and public ignorance. Hijras, though culturally relevant, are at the margins, pushed into begging or prostitution out of necessity.
But both groups persevere. They battle day by day for rights, for visibility, for respect.
We must stop and desist from lumping them together. One is a transcultural identity; the other is a culturally specific gender group. Both are worthy of respect, not just in law, but in word and heart.
It begins with understanding. And understanding begins with listening. Will we listen to their voices—not as spectacle, but as human beings with lives, dreams, and dignity?
i would like to know that who are born hizras dont have any particular form of private parts. they just have a hole to pass urine without any shape. i would like to know how true is this? secondly it is said that the hizras have a right to take away the born hizras with them as their right so that their community does not losses its exhistance, how far is it true?
Hijras are also called ‘na-punsakam’. as per my knowledge, they have neither penis nor cunt except a hole to pass out urine. they look tall and they will have adam apple on their throat like men. however, it is found few of them having big breasts and the body curve like female. this and their feminine dress attract male the urge to have sex. men does sex with them. hijras do not have sex urge, whereas, they get sex urge on their mouth/throat, that’s why they wish to suck the penis of man. that’s their intercourse. their bodies are as smooth and tender. the regret part is they have facial hairs and some have hairs in their chest/s. by hormone correction, they either take certain medicines to eradicate these ‘hairs’ from their body to look more feminine to attract men. they do not have penis at all, if at all, it would be lesser than a kid’s small finger by length. they are not she male.
if anyone can throw more light please write to me at bbalushree@gmail.com. in fact, i wish to have a life partner with a hijra. she should not be more than 50 yrs old, i am 59 yrs, indian, residing in mumbai. she should have no encumbrance, basic educational qualifications. knowledge of either english, hindi, tamil or malayalam. marathi too will be considered. she should be 100% vegetarian, preferably a Hindu would be considered. thank you,
bbalushree@gmail.com
oye bc ye matrimony nahi haii😂
balu hahaha
HIJRAS are considered as male or female????
HIJRAS are considered as male or female
in between
Hijras are always male whereas transgenders are what they think and say they are
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Keep up the good writing.
I really have sympothy with the third gender i have craving to know more about them what acctually they are..
So I am a transgender woman and I feel like this article explained a lot of things to me about the Hijra but I think it failed in one important aspect of being a person of trans experience.
There is sex and then there is gender. These two things are different. Sex is what you are assigned at birth. If you have a penis you are male, if you have a vagina you are female. But gender happens in your heart, your mind, and your soul. No one ever tells a little boy, ” BE MALE!” cause that just happened at birth, they had no control over that. People do tell little boys, ” BE A MAN!” because being a man or woman is something that happens in your head, heart and soul.
And then there is a conflation of gender expression and gender identity. Gender expression is how you express yourself. There are some men who identify as men, who were assigned male sex at birth and they express themselves in more traditionally feminine ways. And some women, who identify as women and were assigned female at birth express more traditionally masculine characteristics. Bottom line is that people are all very different and varied in so man different ways.
But ultimately we are all looking for the same thing. Acceptance and love. All the other things that make us different make us special, unique and beautiful. We should embrace one another’s differences. Not isolate, marginalize or demean anyone. We all lose when that happens.
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Are Transmen also considered as Hijras?
need some hints.