Modern world plays havoc with age-old livelihood
January 8, 2011
http://www.smh.com.au/world/modern-world-plays-havoc-with-ageold-livelihood-20110107-19ity.htmlor
http://www.theage.com.au/world/a-gender-journey-20110107-19ivg.htmlMembers of India's transgender community are turning to sex work to survive as their traditional way of life is eroded, writes Matt Wade in Delhi.
Suman is proud of her boob job. It cost about 113,000 rupees ($2500) - a small fortune for most Indians - but comes with a ''lifetime guarantee'' and the promise of higher earnings.
Like many Indian transgenders - known locally as hijras - Suman boosts her income with sex work. Breast-enhancement operations, now easily available in big city hospitals, are increasingly popular among the naturally flat-chested hijras.
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The Hijras of India
http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/world/the-hijras-of-india/20110107-19i09.htmlThere are an estimated one million Hijras in India. They include ->-bleeped-<-s, transexuals and drag queens whose transgender status is believed by some to give them special powers to bless and to curse. Matt Wade and Jason South visited a household of 10 Hijras in New Delhi who have turned to sex to work to survive.
