Social Status of Gender and Sexual Minorities: A Study

1. INTRODUCTION

Every matter is dynamic. With such dynamics, the world is also dynamic. We, human, are also attached with this. If we are to flip the pages of ancient human history, there was no ethnicity, religion, gender, class, among others. However, with the evolution of new era, now, third gender people are openly coming to our society. Although, third gender people were in existence even in ancient human history, they were unable to come out openly. These days, they are openly fighting for their rights. When the issues of gender and sexual minorities like third gender and homosexual started to come out openly, many doctors branded them as ‗mental patients‘. In 1970, American Psychological Association/ The American Psychiatric Association accepted their blunder and removed the homosexuality from the list of mental ailments. In 1990, World Health Organization also clarified that homosexuality was not any disease. Besides human beings, homosexuality is found to have existed even in plants and animals. Scientific studies have proved that more than 450 species from Himalayan sheep and guerrilla to monkeys. Our suprestitious society says the homosexuality is unnatural. However, according to scientific research, the fact is that it is natural.Despite birth as boy or girl; some individuals grow up differently compared to their born gender. These people are called third gender. Our society has three genders namely male, female and third gender. Social roles of male and females ae accepted since ancient times. However, third gender people are not fully accepted yet.Maximun male are physically attracted towards female and vice versa. However, in thid gender case, males are physically lured at males and females are attracted towards females. This is not made by anybody. This is seen by birth. Looking at Nepali context, many heterosexuals are hiding their identity by wearing dresses of opposite sexes. That is why there is not certainity on the total population of heterosexuals in Nepal. According to Blue Dimanod Society, a organization working for third gender in Nepal, Nepal has 600 thousands population of third gender.

Hijra communities are inhabitated in Nepal and India for 4000 years and ago. Hijra say they represent Pingala, the half-male and galf-female incarnation of Lord Siva of Hindu. They belief they are divine and extraordinary. According to Hijra practice, someone eager to be a member of Hijra community must undergo different rules and disciplines. For exaple, they cannot urinate by standing like males. They must be clad in female

Meti: This is the word from East Nepal. This is a word with the meaning that a person, born as male, will feel like female. Meti believe they are both male and female. Singaru: Third gender folks of western Nepal are called Singaru. Maruni: A male dancing as female is named Maruni. Maugiya or Kothi: In plain Terai of Nepal, third gender is called Maugiya or Kothi. Fulumulu: In Himalayan region, third gender people are called Mulumulu.

Individual who is emotionally attacted towards opposite sex is called heterosexual.

Individual who is emotionally attracted towards same gender is called homosexual. In homosexual relationship, a male attracted towards male is called gay. In addition, a female emotionally liking female is called lesbian.

Individual who is emotionally attracted towards both male and female is called bisexual.

Some individuals don't like to live in their born gender. Along with emotional change, they make physical change by medical surgeries. Such examples are many all around the globe. There are some examples of transsexual people even in Nepal. Science and technology has helped a lot for people to live according to their sexual orientation by changing their gender. Third gender people were living covertly in past. However, now, they are living overtly. They are making their presence from beauty contests to modelling. violence from family members, discriminations in education and job, among others. Third gender people say even Nepal Police trouble them. Nature and creatures are complementary to each other. The birth of all kinds of people is natural. However, third gender people born in natural way are branded unnatural. Why? Why third gender people are not able to live proudly like male and female in our society? Third gender people are unable to utilize their personalities and existences and are living with exclusion and discrimination. Just because of their different sexual orientations, third gender people are toubled with inhumane treatment, violence, rape and so on.

This research based on the principles of human rights. Following literature is revisied in this research: Our society syas third gender is unnatural. However, the fact is that third gender is natural. The Debora Bloom, a scientist of UK, has proved this. According to Bloom, human brain develops in fetus. This is more advanced from six to 8 weeks. During primary stage of pregnancy, if testosterone hormone is pressed, there are chances that the grown up male will be homosexual. It is because at that time, female hormone plays important role for its developement. Studies in USA and Germany have shown that if women are depressed, troubled, tortured and hurt in times of pregnancy, there are 6 times more chances of giving birth to future third gender children. Similarly, according to Barbara Pitch, an Australian writer, after 6-8 weeks of intercourse, a male fetus takes many male hormones called androgens. If it cannot take that hormone, the born child is likely to be third gender after it grows up. If adequate hormones are not accomodated in male and female fetus, there are changes that they will be third gender in future. According to scientific studies, there are more male third gender people than female. The male- female third gender ration is 1:10. If there is physical relationship between famales, their mind and activities is similar to males. Studies have also found that those women consuming chemical elements, medicines and drugs are also likeing to give birth to children who will be third gender in future. At some case, people have third gender gene to give birth to children wilth third gender characteristics. However, it does not have hundrent percent guarantee. The gene of Pitch, 10 percent of males have third gender gene. Those having such gene will have 50 percent chances to give birth to third gender children.

Some people, these days, think that third gender is developed of late. They think it is against the rule of the nature. Some have gone even to the extent that they think it is a social crime. This may be the eason many third gender people are seen ebing arrested, tortured and thrown behind bars in Nepal. However, different statistics show that third gender was in existenince since centuries. The third gender evolved with the evolution of human body. Greece Civilization is a proof of this. In ancient Greece Civilization, the tradition of third gender would be looked with respect and pride. Beautiful drawings would be made praising young homosexuals. Statues of third gender would be erected. Songs of third gender were written at that time. At a nude museum of Paris, it is said that third gender were believed to be courageous and successful combatant. Lesbian, a third gender terminology of female, is derived from an island of Greece Lesbon where many female third gender people would live. In France's capital of Paris, third gender wee living since century ago. There were any third gender settlements in Pais. Because of dense settlements of third geder people in Prais, many streets and settlements are named denoting third gender. Paris still have rue des femmes (women street) and rue des hommes (male street). Later on, Christiansity's folllowers restricted third gender folks by saying female for male and virce versa. Afterwards, third gender stopped to appear in public places. Afterwards in Victorian Century, homosexuality described as demonic deeds. In addition, the state was intolerant towards third gender. Universal Declaration of Human Rights is starting point to understand this. Preamble of the declaration has stressed the ''recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inlienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Article 1 of this declaration says, ‗‗All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.'' Article 2 of this declaration has said, ‗‗Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.'' UN Committee on Human Rights has said that the word 'sex' of this article 2 denotes sexual orientation. Threre are various forms of descriptions

Following are objectives of the study 1. To find social status of gender and sexual minorities in areas of study 2. To pinpoint their problems and suggest ways to eradicate them

This research is carried out in mixed model.

Samples of third gender will be finalized by using snowball-sampling method.

At least 50 third gender people are selected for sampling.

Analysis of statistics is carried out by descriptive and elaborative methods. Likewise, statistics is analysed by using table and chart.

This study is caried out among members of Itahari-based Blue Diamond Society, an organization working for third gender. As per the finding of interviewees of the study, it is described as followes: The statistics obtained after studing on social status of gender and sexual minorities is as follows.

interviewees is as follows:

If we are to study the table, it is seen that maximum third gender people are male with 58 percentage followed by third gender female andf others with 34 percentage and 8 percentage respectively. In this way, the biggest population of third gender is by male third gender and the smallest number is of unspecified ones.

Education plays an indespensible role on developing human values, society and nation. We can intigrate an individual in national and international circumstances through education. According to a study on 50 members of Itahari-based Blue Diamond Society, 42 wee literate. Likewise, 8 third gender interviwees were illiterate. Among those 42 literates, 12 were educated with primary education, 28 by secondary education and 2 by higher education.

According to the table above made after study, 16 percent were illerate people, 24 percent of people with primary education (1-8), 56 percent of secondery education and 4 percent were with higher education. According to the table, 16 percenat third gender people were illiterate and 84 percent were literate. Looking at the table, it is seen that more than half of interviwees were educated with secondery education.

Among 50 third gender members of Blue Diamond Society, 5 were between the age of 15-19, 17 were seen among the age group of 20-24.

As per the table above, 10 percent are from 15-19 years of age, 34 percent of 20-24 years of age, 16 percent of 25-29 years of age, 14 percent of 30-34 years of age and 26 percent of 35 + years of age group. As per the study area, one third of the total third gender belongs to the age group of 20-24 years of age.

In study area, 96 percent were Hindus and 4 percent were Budddist. In this way, Hindus were in majority in tird gender interviwees.

Among 50 interviwees of third gender in this organization, 22 were from indigenous communities, eight were Dalits, 2 were Brahmnis and 3 were Chhetris.

The Table shows that 72 percent of third gender people in study area is from indigenous communities, 18 percent from Dalit, 4 and 6 from Brahmin and Chhetri communities respectively. In this way, the biggest numver is from indigenous communities and the smallest number is from Brahmin community.

Among 50 third gender interviwees of this organization, 38 were having upto 5 family In study area, 76 percent interviwees were having family members upto 5, 6 percent were having family members of 6-10 and 18 percent was unspecified. Looking at the interviwees, third gender having family member upto five were in biggest number.

Among 50 third gender interviwees, 42 were from Sunsari, 4 from Jhapa and 4 from Morang.

Looking at the statistics put in the table above, maximum of 84 percent third gender people in research eare are from Sunsari. Likewise, Jhapa and Morang constitute 8 percent each of total third gender population in study area. It is found that the largest population of third gender in the study area is from Sunsari district.

Out of 50 interviwees of this organization in the study area, 15 were maried ones, 34 were unmarried and one is divorcee.

Among those 50 third genders shown in table, 30 percent ae married 68 percent ae unmaried. Likewise, two pecent are divorcee.Having looked at the table, unmaried are largest in numbers of third gender in study area.

In this organization's 50 interviwees, 12 said they faced friendly family behaviors, 10 said bad behaviours and 28 said normal behaviours.

According to the table above, 24 percent feel friendly behaviou from family for being third gender. Likewise, 20 percent says they badly behaved in family and 56 percent says they have normal behaviour from their families.20 percent is seen not having good behaviour both from family and from society.

Profession and income sides are included in economic aspects.The job performed by an individual to make their living is called profession. Everyone has his/her own profession. In this regard, looking at the professions of 50 interviweed members of Blue Diamond Society, Itahari, following was recorded:

Among third gender associated with Blue Diamond Society, 34 percent are in job, 28 percent are in business, 2 percent are in wage work. Similarly, 26 percent are others and 10 percent are unspecified. After reading this table, maximum of 34 percent of third gender are in job and minumum of 2 percent are working as wageworker.

The income statistics of third gender interviwees in Blue Diamond Society is found as follows:

After looking at the table above, it is found that there are 48 perent earning 10000 rupees a month, 28 percent earning 11000-20000, 8 percent with 20000+ rupees earning a month. 16 percent of income of third gender inteviwees in study area is unspecified. Looking at the economic aspects at the table, it is seen that there is minimum incom of 10000 and maximum of 20000+ rupees a month by third gender folks associated with Itahari-based Blue Diamond Society.

Asked if they were blackmailed just for being born as third gender, 22 percent said yes.78 percent of interviwees said no.Interviwees said villagers blackmail them by showing sexual behaviours. Some said they are blackmailed by threatining to reveal their reality with family, by making economic bargaining, teasing and by threatening to expell from home.

According to the study, 64 percent interviwees said they have problems of toilet. 2 percent said it is normal for them to use toilet.34 percent said they never faced toilet problems. According to our societal structures, public toilets are only of male and female and this is creating problems. Some interviwees said they are women appearing in men's attire and are confused on choosing toilets. Because of lack of seperate toilet for third gender, they said they face a sort of hegitation while going for toilet. With 64 percent saying that they have problems of toilet, it is seen as an important problem.

Third gender interviwees were asked about their problems in their workplace just for being third gender.42 said that they are not having any workplace misbehavior for being third gender.20 percent said they have normal workplace behaviour. Eight percent said they are being badly behaved in their workplace.30 percent of workplace behavioyr was not specified. and teachers, the answers were mixed by interviwees in the study area. 28 said they are not misbehaved, 22 said they are misbehaved, 2 percent said they are feeling normal and 20 percent was not specified.Likewise, participants were asked about their friends' behaviours. For this, 20 percent respondents reported positive bhaviour, 8 percent said they are misbehaved.Likewise, 58 percent said they are normally beheved by friends and 14 percent response is unspecified. In this way, teachers do not like 22 percent third genders and their own friends for just being third gender misbehave 8 percent.

Interviwees were asked about their experience in public vehicles. For this question, 34 percent said uneasy, 10 percent said easy, 34 percent said normal behaviour.20 percent was not specified. In this way, the good and bad experience in public vehicle is 34 percent each.

Fifty-third gender member of Itahar-based Blue Diamond Society were asked about their problems on choosing their clothes. Answering this question, 22 percent said well, 14 percent said bad and 32 said they are looked awakwardly.10 percent of answer is unspecified. With 14 percent having problems in choosing cloths and 12 facing awakward looks, it is seen that there is problem of choosing clothes among third gender.

Participants of these study accomodating 50 third gender members of Blue Diamond Society of Itahari were asked if they were humilated just for being third gender. For this answer, 64 percent said they felt. 30 percent said they did not felt humilation.6 percent didn't want to answer. They said they were humilated on physical and social grounds. For example, they said they were humilated by not giving proper money in business, by throwing bad words while going in marketplace to sell stuffs, by making derogatory terms on physical postures, by making unnecessay arrest by police, and the likes.

A study on social status of gender and sexual minorities was caried out in Itahari, Sunsari. The central goal of this study was to identify social status of this community and pinpoint problems summerized that third gender people are descriminated socially, humilated personally. They are bereft of acceptance, job, social inclusion. They are having problesm from individual freedo, human rights to mariage. This situation must be eradicated by increasing gender equality campaigns by social organizations and governments. Third gender people must be empowerd employed and energized to live with dignity in our society.

1. Society and Culture in Nepal by Harihar Ghimire (2010) 2. Blue Diaond Society Publications and reports 3. Frequently Asked Questions about Hoosexuals and Third Gender by Print Point Publication 4. http://www.nepalplus.com/archives/179-2016 5. http://www.nepalplus.com/archives/179-2016

Research Scholar, Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar (MP)