The Hijra community in contemporary India has been facing various challenges while trying to reconcile their religious obligations, sexual identities, and erotic behaviors with societal norms. This is primarily because Indian society is still predominantly heteronormative, which means it assumes that all individuals are cisgender and heterosexual. Thus, Hijras who identify themselves outside these traditional gender binaries face discrimination, exclusion, and violence from the larger society.
Religious Obligations
As members of the Muslim faith, Hijras are required to observe several rituals and practices related to Islamic law. These include daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, giving alms to the poor, and making pilgrimages to Mecca.
Some aspects of Islamic law can be difficult for Hijras to follow due to their unique gender identities.
The Qur'an prescribes specific rules regarding sexual behavior, including dress codes, physical contact between men and women, and marriage. Hijras may feel conflicted about adhering to these regulations since they do not fit neatly into either male or female categories.
Many Hijras have been rejected by their families and communities due to their transgressions against traditional gender roles. As a result, they may find it hard to participate in communal prayer or other religious activities.
Sexual Identity
Hijras typically self-identify as male-bodied individuals who live as females. They often adopt feminine clothing, mannerisms, and hairstyles but retain male genitalia. Despite this, Hijras still experience harassment, assault, and discrimination based on their perceived masculinity. Many Hijras also report feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression due to their nonconformity with social norms. This can lead to difficulties in forming intimate relationships and engaging in erotic behavior.
Erotic Behavior
In India, there is a strong cultural expectation that men should be sexually active and aggressive. Hijras may face pressure from both society and their partners to conform to these standards.
Some Hijras choose to embrace their identity as non-binary individuals and reject such expectations. They may reject traditional gender roles altogether, opting for more egalitarian relationships where all parties are free to express their desires without judgment. Others may seek out non-heteronormative sexual partners who share similar identities and experiences. Still, others may struggle to find acceptance within the larger LGBTQ+ community due to cultural stigma surrounding their bodies, faces, and behaviors.
Social Expectations
Despite progress made towards inclusivity in recent years, Indian society remains deeply homophobic and transphobic. Many people view Hijras as perverts or deviants who must be shunned or punished. As a result, they may experience employment discrimination, housing insecurity, and violence at the hands of police and vigilantes. Some Hijras have even been forced into prostitution or other criminal activities due to lack of other options. Despite this, many Hijras continue to fight for their rights as equal citizens under the law and work toward greater societal acceptance.
How do Hijra communities reconcile religious obligations, sexual identity, and erotic behavior with social expectations in contemporary India?
In contemporary India, Hijra communities have to navigate between religious obligations, sexual identity, and erotic behavior while facing the challenges of social expectations. The Hijras belong to the intersectional category of transgender individuals who identify themselves as neither male nor female but possess both masculine and feminine attributes. According to their traditional beliefs, they are considered neither men nor women but represent an intermediate state of being called "nais" (neither).