Day 2: Hijra Resilience in South Asia.
In South Asia, Hijra communities have existed for centuries as a recognized “third gender.” In Hindu texts, epics, and folklore, Hijras appear as figures of power, blessing, and transformation. Traditionally, they were called upon to perform at weddings and childbirth ceremonies, offering songs and blessings that invoked fertility and prosperity.
The arrival of British colonial rule in the 19th century brought criminalization. Hijras were labeled as “criminal tribes,” and their spiritual and social roles were violently repressed. This legacy of stigma continues today in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where Hijras often face discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare.
Yet resilience defines Hijra life. Despite systemic exclusion, Hijra communities maintain kinship structures, passing down rituals, dances, and stories that root them in cultural heritage. Activists like Laxmi Narayan Tripathi in India and Almas Bobby in Pakistan have become public voices demanding dignity, rights, and recognition. Legal victories, including India’s 2014 Supreme Court decision recognizing Hijras as a “third gender” – are reshaping visibility and opening new pathways for justice.
“We are not begging for acceptance. We are demanding our rights, which were always ours.” – Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
The story of Hijras reminds us that queer identity is not new, it is ancient, powerful, and resilient. Their courage challenges the colonial and contemporary systems that seek to erase them, offering instead a legacy of strength, beauty, and blessing.
Learn More
- Book: The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story by A. Revathi –
- Documentary: India’s Third Gender (Al Jazeera)
- Article: “The semi-sacred ‘third gender’ of South Asia” (BBC)
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