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India\u2019s Hijra community - who for centuries held a significant cultural, political and spiritual role in Indian society - were officially recognised on 9th March, 2005, when a new option appeared on passport forms, allowing applicants to select M for Male, F for Female, or \u2018write E for Eunuch\u2019.\nAlthough being labelled as a \u2018third sex\u2019 was considered by some to be stigmatising, it also reflected an understanding of the Hijra (a group including trans women, intersex people and castrates) as \u2018eunuchs\u2019, a depiction with its roots in both Hindu mythology and British colonialism.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why the Hijra are believed to bring blessings to ceremonial occasions; dig into the polarised attitude that defines how Indians still see this marginalised community; and explain how a combination of transphobia, desperation and entrepreneurship has lead to many of them finding employment as \u2018human Howlers\u2019...\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Third sex in passports\u2019 (Telegraph India, 2005): https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/third-sex-in-passports/cid/670187\n\u2022 \u2018India's third gender - in pictures\u2019 (The Guardian, 2014): https://www.theguardian.com/society/gallery/2014/apr/16/india-third-gender-in-pictures\n\u2022 \u2018India's Transgender Community: The Hijra\u2019 (Refinery29, 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgw7M-JABMg\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices