The beautiful way Hawaiian culture embraces a particular kind of transgender identity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/28/hawaiian-culture-transgender_n_7158130.html

The Huffington Post/04/28/2915   the Huff Post

" the restrictive and defining construct makes it difficult for our society to understand people like Bruce Jenner, who recently came out as transgender, because they don't always fit neatly into a box. While some transgender people move from one end of the spectrum to the other when they transition, other transgender people exist somewhere in between, embracing both genders neither gender or a multiplicity of genders."

I was exposed to many expressions of gender during my questioning phase. I helped me see that there are people from every stripe. It helped me to see that I wasn't alone and I could be whoever I chose to be.

PBS Independent Lens did a special on this topic "Kumu Hina"

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kumu-hina/ -- "Mahu" . . . middle people.
Independent Lens/PBS
Ironic that she mentors a "girl" who is "kane mahu" -- FTM young girl. Some important lessons going on here!

I just watched this PBS special, and highly recommend it. You can view the full video at video.pbs.org/video/2365464507.

On a related note, in her book Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More, Janet Mock also describes how trans women in the Kumu Hina culture were historically held in high regard in the community, allowing them to mentor trans teens from a position of cultural esteem and respect. See Our review of Janet Mock's New Book for more...