'fakaleiti' - a term used to describe a 'third gender' in Tonga (difficult for us Westerners to comprehend, but yes, quite a few cultures recognise and even provide a distinct social space for people we would term 'transgendered').

Ask a Togan person to say the word (as I did three times at work today) and I swear it sounds EXACTLY like:

"F$%K a lady". !!!!!

I kidd you not. Needless to say I was nearly falling off my chair in the staff room with laughter.

I must ask my 'acting' boss tomorrow who is also Togan :-)

even india has a word ofr the thrid gender does it not? i remember a Samesame article posted by Jade addressing this fact!

It seems non-western cultures are more accepting of diverse human sexuality (but sadly that's not much of the case anymoe due to western colonisation and missonaries.)

Yes the word is hyjras :-)

TARDO is a good one .....

tardo...:S
which culture does that come from?

RETARDS ..... Like .... Stop being a DumbAss Trado !


In Japan ...... Trannies are called "New Half" ..... Funny that ...

I reckon it's more that 50%

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenesisInVain

...It seems non-western cultures are more accepting of diverse human sexuality (but sadly that's not much of the case anymoe due to western colonisation and missonaries.)

I guess you're referring to China and Tibet or Israel and the Gaza Strip?

I'm sorry I don't mean to offend but this whole anti-western thing is really annoying. Yet here you are in Australia, a country which (according to the new history) was colonised (or is that invaded now?) by "westerns" and you're enjoying all that has to offer like subsidised education and health. I don't believe "non-western" cultures are any more accepting than so-called western culture. Did you not watch the video in the other thread where one asian guy stated that he kept himself busy to avoid the question of his sexuality? Have you seen Wedding Banquet? Even in India transsexuality is illegal and the operation is brutal. This has nothing to do with western culture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honest

I guess you're referring to China and Tibet or Israel and the Gaza Strip?

I'm sorry I don't mean to offend but this whole anti-western thing is really annoying. Yet here you are in Australia, a country which (according to the new history) was colonised (or is that invaded now?) by "westerns" and you're enjoying all that has to offer like subsidised education and health. I don't believe "non-western" cultures are any more accepting than so-called western culture. Did you not watch the video in the other thread where one asian guy stated that he kept himself busy to avoid the question of his sexuality? Have you seen Wedding Banquet? Even in India transsexuality is illegal and the operation is brutal. This has nothing to do with western culture.

There are cultures in this world that recognise AND provide a social space for people considered to be a 'third gender'. It is not a case of being 'anti-western': it is merely discussing how other cultures view what we would term 'transgendered'.

No country is perfect - Australia included. With globalisation being what is it, we now have to opportunity to examine other cultures and societies and grab the 'best bits' so we can become an even better Australia.

Perhaps reading up on gender studies or viewing a few docos concerned with those cultures that have a 'third gender' might be beneficial for you.

Noice

Loose cannon?