Gender identity: ‘How colonialism killed my culture’s gender fluidity’ - BBC World Service

Summary

The video explores the concept of gender identity across different cultures, emphasizing the fluidity of gender beyond the binary framework. It highlights the experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as Geronimo from the Navajo community, Leher from India’s third gender, and Kai from Aboriginal Australia. The script touches on the historical silencing of gender diversity due to colonization and the challenges faced by people with non-binary identities. The video examines how these varying gender experiences have shaped different cultures' understanding of identity, while also addressing the polarization of gender discussions in Western societies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gender identity is increasingly a polarizing topic on social media and across societies.
• 😀 In many countries, sex is traditionally defined as male or female, but gender identity is more fluid and may not align with one's biological sex.
• 😀 Some individuals feel more comfortable identifying with a gender different from their physical sex.
• 😀 Geronimo, from the Navajo community, identifies as a two-spirit person, reflecting an ancient gender identity with roles that blend masculine and feminine traits.
• 😀 The Navajo culture recognizes four sacred and ancient gender identities, including masculine-feminine (Nádleehí), which Geronimo identifies with.
• 😀 In India, gender has long been understood as fluid, with the Supreme Court recognizing a 'third gender' in 2014.
• 😀 Leher, from India, identifies as the 'third gender' and is considered sacred, with the power to bless or curse, reflecting a deeper cultural recognition of non-binary gender identities.
• 😀 Indian mythology and scriptures describe multiple genders, showcasing a more inclusive and diverse understanding of gender beyond the binary.
• 😀 In Australia, Aboriginal cultures recognize Brotherboys, who are born female but identify with a masculine spirit, illustrating another non-binary gender role.
• 😀 Colonization and forced assimilation have had a devastating effect on Indigenous cultures, silencing or erasing the recognition of diverse gender identities, leading to modern-day discrimination and stigma.

Q & A

What is the difference between sex and gender identity, as discussed in the script?

Sex refers to the biological characteristics we are born with, such as male or female, whereas gender identity can be more fluid and relates to how an individual feels or identifies, which may or may not align with their biological sex.

How does Geronimo from the Navajo community identify in terms of gender?

Geronimo identifies as a 'two-spirit' individual, a term used in the Navajo culture to describe someone who embodies both masculine and feminine traits.

What are the four sacred and ancient gender identities in the Navajo culture?

The four sacred and ancient gender identities in Navajo culture are masculine-masculine, masculine-feminine, feminine-feminine, and feminine-masculine.

What does the term 'Nádleehí' mean in Navajo culture?

Nádleehí refers to an individual who is male-bodied but has a feminine nature or takes on both male and female gender roles. This is a traditional gender identity within the Navajo culture.

What is the significance of gender fluidity in India, according to the script?

In India, gender has always been fluid, with historical and mythological references to more than 20 different genders. The Supreme Court of India recognized a 'third gender' in 2014, acknowledging individuals outside the male-female binary.

What does being recognized as the 'third gender' mean in India?

Being recognized as the 'third gender' in India signifies a sacred and respected role in society. These individuals are viewed as possessing special powers, such as the ability to bless or curse, and are deeply connected to Indian culture and spirituality.

What cultural significance do 'Brotherboys' and 'Sistergirls' have in Aboriginal communities in Australia?

'Brotherboys' and 'Sistergirls' are terms used within Aboriginal communities to describe people who identify with a gender that differs from their biological sex. These identities are part of the Aboriginal understanding of gender, which is seen as more expansive than the binary male-female framework.

How does colonization affect the understanding of gender in various cultures?

Colonization led to the suppression and erasure of many indigenous gender identities and sexualities. It imposed binary gender norms, causing the loss of traditions that embraced gender fluidity, and often resulted in discrimination against individuals with non-binary gender identities.

What is the impact of colonialism on the understanding of gender in Indian and Aboriginal cultures?

Colonialism contributed to the stigmatization of non-binary and fluid gender identities in both Indian and Aboriginal cultures. Many traditional teachings about gender were lost or silenced, and discrimination against gender-diverse individuals grew as colonial powers sought to enforce rigid gender roles.

What are the current social issues related to gender, particularly in Western societies?

In Western societies, discussions about gender often revolve around who should have access to gender-segregated spaces like toilets, shelters, and sports. These debates have become polarizing, as differing views on gender identity clash with traditional views on sex and gender roles.