Social Organization of Transgender Sex Workers
ABSTRACT
This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to describe their cultural practices with reference to ritual performs on different occasion. Qualitative research methods combing in-depth interviews, FGDs, and observation were employed to gather information. An effort has been made to investigate the cultural life of the transgender and the pattern of their social interaction within the community as well as with the outsiders. Analysis based on thematic description of the themes generated after reviewing data. The research process revealed that males who were engaged in the sex industry have two types of sociological division: first, young and having male identity with potential to transform in transgender; while other transgender plays dual roles: a) within sex worker community as transgender women, b) male outside the transgender community. These males fulfill their socio-psychological and economic needs through entrance in the transgender community. Most of them consider themselves as having feminine soul and masculine body. The male engaging in sex work is a complex phenomenon with reference to their identity and performance of cultural rituals. An exploratory research study needs to be conducted to unfold the notion of dual identity which male sex workers have.
This paper is an attempt to document life of male sex workers as transgender in Pakistan and to describe their cultural practices with reference to ritual performs on different occasion. Qualitative research methods combing in-depth interviews, FGDs, and observation were employed to gather information. An effort has been made to investigate the cultural life of the transgender and the pattern of their social interaction within the community as well as with the outsiders. Analysis based on thematic description of the themes generated after reviewing data. The research process revealed that males who were engaged in the sex industry have two types of sociological division: first, young and having male identity with potential to transform in transgender; while other transgender plays dual roles: a) within sex worker community as transgender women, b) male outside the transgender community. These males fulfill their socio-psychological and economic needs through entrance in the transgender community. Most of them consider themselves as having feminine soul and masculine body. The male engaging in sex work is a complex phenomenon with reference to their identity and performance of cultural rituals. An exploratory research study needs to be conducted to unfold the notion of dual identity which male sex workers have.
Cite this paper
A. Mohyuddin and M. Ali, "Social Organization of Transgender Sex Workers," Open Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 7, 2013, pp. 436-440. doi: 10.4236/ojapps.2013.37054.
A. Mohyuddin and M. Ali, "Social Organization of Transgender Sex Workers," Open Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 7, 2013, pp. 436-440. doi: 10.4236/ojapps.2013.37054.
References
[1] C. West and D. H. Zimmerman, “Doing Gender,” Gender and Society, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1987, pp. 125-151. [2] P. Eckert and G. S. McConnell, “Language and Gender,” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511791147 [3] B. Reed, et al., “Gender Variance in the UK: Prevalence, Incidence, Growth and Geographic Distribution,” Gender Identity Research and Education Society, 2009. [4] P. S. Savati, “Sex Work and Queer Politics in Three Acts,” 2013. http://sfonline.barnard.edu/a-new-queer-agenda/sex-work-and-queer-politics-in-three-acts/ [5] http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/transgender-astitv [6] United Nation Development Programme, “Hijras/Transgender in India: HIV, Human Rights and Social Exclusion,” 2013. http://www.undp.org/content/india/en/home/knowledge-and-solutions/voices-of-the-marginalized/hijras_transgenderinindiahivhumanrightsandsocialexclusion/ [7] M. Collumbien, A. Qureshi, R. K. Verma and Naveedi-Rahat, “Reaching Male and Transgender Sex Worker Communities in Pakistan: Addressing Public and Private Identities,” Presented at XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2009, Mexico City, pp. 1.
[1] C. West and D. H. Zimmerman, “Doing Gender,” Gender and Society, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1987, pp. 125-151. [2] P. Eckert and G. S. McConnell, “Language and Gender,” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511791147 [3] B. Reed, et al., “Gender Variance in the UK: Prevalence, Incidence, Growth and Geographic Distribution,” Gender Identity Research and Education Society, 2009. [4] P. S. Savati, “Sex Work and Queer Politics in Three Acts,” 2013. http://sfonline.barnard.edu/a-new-queer-agenda/sex-work-and-queer-politics-in-three-acts/ [5] http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/transgender-astitv [6] United Nation Development Programme, “Hijras/Transgender in India: HIV, Human Rights and Social Exclusion,” 2013. http://www.undp.org/content/india/en/home/knowledge-and-solutions/voices-of-the-marginalized/hijras_transgenderinindiahivhumanrightsandsocialexclusion/ [7] M. Collumbien, A. Qureshi, R. K. Verma and Naveedi-Rahat, “Reaching Male and Transgender Sex Worker Communities in Pakistan: Addressing Public and Private Identities,” Presented at XVII International AIDS Conference, 3-8 August 2009, Mexico City, pp. 1.