Gender and transgenderism in Pakistan

[ArabellaScott]

Article in The World discussing issues between the traditional gender system, which includes a sacred 'third gender', and transgenderism:

'the ability to choose gender identity outside of the established third gender system remains elusive and is almost exclusively the preserve of an affluent, educated minority'

theworld.org/stories/2017-07-29/pakistans-traditional-third-gender-isnt-happy-trans-movement?fbclid=IwAR1G_Vx9fm0sFl35RTUV23mvqm7h4cBFIZUsS64RkByDcWb0HDvnTXUCZwU

I'm not very surprised that American gender ideology has reached Pakistan, they have Disney over there too don't they.

Yes, but it's interesting that it seems to clash with the traditional Khawaja Sira culture. So often, there are references to 'indigenous' or 'traditional' cultures, with the claim that they are somehow in accord with transgenderism. This article shows very clear that that is a gross simplification at best, and cultural imperialism at worst.

These people who say they are transgender; that concept is just wrong," says one of Rana's chelahs. "They can never be women. They cannot give birth. Even if they change their bodies they can’t change who they are. We are not women. We are what Allah has made.”

No 'transwomen are women' in that culture. It's incredibly patronising of TRAs to assume everyone outside the West subscribes to their particular magical thinking.

It's the same when people trot out the argument about hijras too. Sure they have always existed in India - but no one has ever been under any illusion that they are women.

Extremely marginalised by law and society? Of course.
Women? Hell, no.

@NotTerfNorCis

These people who say they are transgender; that concept is just wrong," says one of Rana's chelahs. "They can never be women. They cannot give birth. Even if they change their bodies they can’t change who they are. We are not women. We are what Allah has made.”

No 'transwomen are women' in that culture. It's incredibly patronising of TRAs to assume everyone outside the West subscribes to their particular magical thinking.

Yeah - it's a point I've made before, but the very fact these cultures have specific names for males or females acting outside the usual male gender role rather than just calling them the local equivalent of "man" or "woman" is actually proof they are not considered interchangeable with the opposite sex in the way western genderism claims trans people are.

Thinking about it, isn’t this an example of cultural appropriation?

TRAs (mainly white, most middle class) appropriating another indigenous culture, claiming it for themselves?