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[dina_hastings]

I'm interested in knowing what other cultures recognize androgynous/third gendered individuals: I know First Nations (don't know what tribes specifically) and India: what others are out there? Please point me towards any online information.

[Nicky]

Have you checked this sites wiki? I'm sure there is stuff in there about it. Just look for third gender, gender queer, non-binary etc.. might need to traul through some stuff  but I seem to remember something in there that mentiones a number of cultures.

[Ken/Kendra]

India is the only modern country that recognizes third sex on a passport and legal documents, "E" for Eunuch. The Hijras http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Hijra. Having said that, if you are a Eunuch in India, you are unequal in that you only have 3 choices of income. These are, as well documented begging, religious ceremonies, or prostitution.

Many mention kathoeys of Thailand, but they have a long way to go, just recently gaining a little protection of rights to gender protections under , which are still unequal. But they are much more visible and widely accepted then western cultures as mentioned in susan's wiki http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Kathoey

As for modern cultures, I have seen a few lists including some american indian. I do know modern two spirits are recently making a rise in visibility, though historically in early america had absolute third gender recognition.http://wiki.susans.org/index.php/Two-spirit

And of course there are a few ancient societies that accepted eunuchs, hermaphrodites, intersex, as well as transgender as a third gender.

[Emerald]

Wikipedia address the subject of Third Gender in depth and offers a HUGE list of online reference material also.
Well worth reading!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_gender

"The terms third gender and third sex describe individuals who are considered to be neither women nor men, as well as the social category present in those societies who recognize three or more genders.

The state of being neither male nor female may be understood in relation to the individual's biological sex, gender role, gender identity, or sexual orientation. To different cultures or individuals, a third sex or gender may represent an intermediate state between men and women, a state of being both (such as "the spirit of a man in the body of a woman"), the state of being neither (neuter), the ability to cross or swap genders, or another category altogether independent of male and female. This last definition is favored by those who argue for a strict interpretation of the "third gender" concept."

-Emerald 

[Nicky]

Oh, I found this snipit that might be of interest:

"Fa’afafine, Fakaleti, Akava’ine, Mahu, Vaka sa lewa lewa, Rae rae, Fafafine"
Pasifika terms describing someone born with a male body who does not have a male gender identity and often, but not always, lives as a woman. These terms are best understood within their cultural context. "

[Carlisle]

Apparently Nepal's just formally recognised third-gender, don't know if that helps... http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2008/09/nepal_formally. There's also a paper presented to the European Network of Professionals in Transsexualism (August 1994) by a third gender person: http://www.gendercentre.org.au/7article9.htm.

  Lutin

[Nicky]

Apparently Nepal's just formally recognised third-gender, don't know if that helps... http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2008/09/nepal_formally. There's also a paper presented to the European Network of Professionals in Transsexualism (August 1994) by a third gender person: http://www.gendercentre.org.au/7article9.htm.

  Lutin

I loved that last paper. Made me feel like I had a place, even if it were not in my own culture.

[Pica Pica]

I'm a Wintke, I'm a Wintke and it does me good like I know it should.

[Nero]

I'm a Wintke, I'm a Wintke and it does me good like I know it should.

what in the sam hill's a winkie?

[Pica Pica]

It's blackfoot for third gender, but it also sounds a little like a colloquial term for a chronic masterbator.

the quote comes from a popular song by ivor biggun on said action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD23tiknQIk
	LQ | HQ

[Nero]

you brits have such a dirty sense of humor.

[Pica Pica]

Ivor Biggun basically four albums of songs about said recreational activity.

[Nero]

sick, sick, sick.

[Phate]

That's kinda scary. Funny song, and the singer is cute, but every time he says 'pud' I cringe.

[Pica Pica]

it was either this video, or one of gordon brown.

[Nero]

okay now i have to see gordon brown.