Gender Identities in Thailand
Encyclopedia
Within Thailand
one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity
and femininity
. The demand for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand and their communities are strengthening.
female that dresses, acts, and speaks in a masculine fashion. Tom cut their hair short. A female cutting ones hair short is a massive deviation from traditional Thai cultural norms which prizes long hair as a symbol of feminine beauty. Women typically wear skirts in Thailand; many government jobs (i.e. teachers) have even made skirts compulsory as a part of female dress code. However, Tom dress in male attire. Usually donning slacks, sandals, and a loose fitting button-down shirt. Thai speech is not sexed but there are various vowel inflections which are associated predominantly with males or females. A Tom will speak with male vowel inflections.
(or bisexual
) female who follows outward Thai gender norms. A Dee will look, act, and speak in a manner conducive to typical Thai female gender norms. The only differentiation between Dee and “traditional females” is that Dee engage in relationships with Tom.
. This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to hermaphrodite
s. Due to this term becoming so broad many choose to use the English word to explain a homosexual male dressing as a woman as a “ladyboy," this eliminates much of the confusion. The term can also be meant as an insult, especially to those who are trying to completely alter their identity to that of a woman. Ladyboys suggest that they are still men who are merely dress as women. The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who is acting with feminine qualities. Personally most of the women prefer to call themselves “a transformed goddess” or “a second type of woman”.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity
Masculinity
Masculinity is possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine...
and femininity
Femininity
Femininity is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles generally associated with girls and women. Though socially constructed, femininity is made up of both socially defined and biologically created factors...
. The demand for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand and their communities are strengthening.
Tom identity
The Tom is a homosexualHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
female that dresses, acts, and speaks in a masculine fashion. Tom cut their hair short. A female cutting ones hair short is a massive deviation from traditional Thai cultural norms which prizes long hair as a symbol of feminine beauty. Women typically wear skirts in Thailand; many government jobs (i.e. teachers) have even made skirts compulsory as a part of female dress code. However, Tom dress in male attire. Usually donning slacks, sandals, and a loose fitting button-down shirt. Thai speech is not sexed but there are various vowel inflections which are associated predominantly with males or females. A Tom will speak with male vowel inflections.
Dee identity
The Dee is a homosexualHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
(or bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
) female who follows outward Thai gender norms. A Dee will look, act, and speak in a manner conducive to typical Thai female gender norms. The only differentiation between Dee and “traditional females” is that Dee engage in relationships with Tom.
Tom-Dee within society
Heterosexual public displays of affection are frowned upon within Thai culture. However affection between same sex individuals is considered the norm. In this way Tom-Dee partnerships can be invisible to the wider society. 94.6% of Thai citizens are Buddhist. High social acceptance is due to the nature of the surrounding Buddhist culture, which places a high value on tolerance. Using the notion of Karma, a belief that being a Tom/Dee is the result of transgressions in past lives, concluding that Tom/Dee deserve pity rather than blame.Kathoey/Ladyboys
It is quite common for the subject of Ladyboys to be in direct correlation to Thailand, something that the country is becoming more prominently known for. These days many tourists make note of these beautiful women that have transformed themselves into somewhat of a Thai icon. Thailand is now viewed as an international hub of gender-bending norms, and a center of sexual alterations.Meaning of Kathoey/Ladyboy
Although the term ladyboy is rather ambiguous, simply put, it is a male who dresses and carries out the identity of a woman. Though the term is often translated as transgender, transgender is rarely used in Thailand, instead they use the term KathoeyKathoey
Kathoey or katoey is a male-to-female transgender person or an effeminate gay male in Thailand. Related phrases include sao praphet song , or phet thi sam . The word kathoey is thought to be of Khmer origin...
. This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
s. Due to this term becoming so broad many choose to use the English word to explain a homosexual male dressing as a woman as a “ladyboy," this eliminates much of the confusion. The term can also be meant as an insult, especially to those who are trying to completely alter their identity to that of a woman. Ladyboys suggest that they are still men who are merely dress as women. The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who is acting with feminine qualities. Personally most of the women prefer to call themselves “a transformed goddess” or “a second type of woman”.
Acceptance of Kathoey/Ladyboys
Ladyboys really are quite prominent in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in the cities but in the countrysides as well. It seems as though it is the relaxed attitude of acceptance and tolerance in Buddhism that keeps people from shunning their lifestyles, although many other Buddhist countries are not as willing to accept a ladyboy living their lives in public. Thai Buddhism specifically does not regard homosexuality as a sin and has no specific prohibitions regarding their lifestyle. Though Kathoey continually face discrimination they are gaining acceptance and have made themselves a very distinct part of the Thai society, they still have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender. There are many restrictions that come with the identity, one being the inability to marry someone of the same sex, another not being able to officially change their birth sex on birth certificates or passports.Kathoey/Ladyboys in society
Though Kathoey have enjoyed some prestige in the past they still face many struggles in everyday life. Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion. Many dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives out in the open. The modern view of Kathoey is really rather recent, it seems as though they, together with other homosexual identities came together in recent decades to start this gender identity revolution. Beginning in the 1950s we are able to see a presence of Kathoey and it can be traced in media. The trend of Kathoey's being a regular part of entertainment such as movies, music entertainment and television shows is a rather recent trend.See also
- Hijra (South Asia)Hijra (South Asia)In the culture of South Asia, hijras or chakka in Kannada, khusra in Punjabi and kojja in Telugu are physiological males who have feminine gender identity, women's clothing and other feminine gender roles. Hijras have a long recorded history in the Indian subcontinent, from the antiquity, as...
- List of transgender-related topics
- HermaphroditeHermaphroditeIn biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
- BishōnenBishonenis a Japanese term literally meaning "beautiful youth ". The equivalent English concept is a "pretty boy".The term describes an aesthetic that can be found in disparate areas in East Asia: a young man whose beauty transcends the boundary of gender or sexual orientation...
- KathoeyKathoeyKathoey or katoey is a male-to-female transgender person or an effeminate gay male in Thailand. Related phrases include sao praphet song , or phet thi sam . The word kathoey is thought to be of Khmer origin...
- Butch and FemmeButch and femmeButch and femme are LGBT terms describing respectively, masculine and feminine traits, behavior, style, expression, self-perception and so on. They are often used in the lesbian, bisexual and gay subcultures...