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Gender identities in Thailand

January 01, 1970

In Thailand, one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity. Beyond the traditional male and female roles, there are categories for individuals who are gender non-conforming, whether in looks or behavior. These are generally regarded as sub-types of each sex, rather than a distinct gender identity, and correlate strongly with homosexuality. Demand and support for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand.[1]: 52–85 [2]

Heterosexual edit

Male edit

A heterosexual male is the only sexuality, which refers not just to physical sex but gender identity as well. Note this may differ from Western ideas of heterosexual male, to which lesbian sex has been eroticized. This means he seeks a traditional Thai female, but does not accept as a sexual or marriage partner the other female gender identities listed below.

Female edit

A heterosexual female refers to the traditional female who seeks the traditional heterosexual male (man) in Thai society.

Tom-Dee identity edit

Tom identity edit

A "tom" (ทอม), from the English word tomboy, is a female who dresses, acts, and possibly speaks in a masculine fashion. She may not identify as a lesbian, but she may be perceived as one by others.[3] Toms wear short hair, a deviation from Thai tradition which has prized long hair as a sign of feminine beauty since a Europeanization of customs during the Victorian era (while short hair was the norm for Central Thai women until c. 1900).[4]

Women usually wear skirts in Thailand, and in many government offices skirts are compulsory and pant suits banned. Toms dress in men's clothing—slacks, sandals, and loose fitting button-down shirts. According to Ara Wilson, a tom will use male speech terms, especially the old, now-crude pronouns goo (Thai: กู) for "I", and mueng (Thai: มึง) for "you".[5][6]: 127, 131 

Dee identity edit

The "dee" (ดี้), from the English word lady, is a homosexual (or bisexual) female who follows outward Thai gender norms. A dee will look, act, and speak in a manner congruent with Thai female gender norms. The only difference between dees and traditional females is that dee often engage in relationships with toms.[5] Some dees, however, seek other dees.

Tom-dee within society edit

Heterosexual public displays of affection are frowned upon in Thai culture. However, minor displays of affection, such as hand-holding, between same sex individuals is considered the norm. In this way tom-dee partnerships can be invisible to the wider society.[7]

Tom Gay edit

A Tom Gay is a Tom who is attracted to all 3 types of women, heterosexual women, Toms, and Dees.[8]

Lesbian edit

A lesbian in Thai culture differs from the West, i.e. a woman who is attracted to the traditional gender adhering Thai female.[8]

Female roles vis a vis identity edit

Within the female community, there are roles which complicate identity. Particular among them are one-way and two-way, which refer to the perceived permanent sexual roles of giver and receiver and giver, respectively, but taking on a broader meaning than merely sex. A 1-way tom would see it fit to take care of the female both materially (pay for everything) and psychologically, but not accept the same in return. Conversely, the terms king and queen refer to active or receptive roles, yet can also be situational rather than an identity. The same terms king and queen are used for male homosexual roles. Toms may seek dees or toms (in which case they may be referred to as Tom Gay Kings), toms may be 1-way or 2-way. Dees may seek toms or dees.[9]

Adam edit

An Adam is a male who is attracted to Toms.[8]

Kathoeys edit

Main article: Kathoey

Although the terms "kathoey"[10] or "ladyboy"[11] are rather ambiguous, simply put, both terms refer to someone assigned male at birth, who dresses as and adopts the mannerisms and identity of a woman. Though the term is often translated as "transgender", the term is rarely used in Thailand. Instead Thais use the term kathoey. This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to intersex people. 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".[12] The term can also be meant as an insult, especially to those who are trying to alter or openly express their identity, as it suggests that they are still men who are merely dressed as women.[citation needed] The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who possesses traditionally 'feminine' qualities. Most kathoeys prefer to call themselves "a transformed goddess" or "a second type of woman".[13]

Acceptance of kathoeys edit

Kathoeys are numerous in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in the cities but in the countryside as well.[14] Thai Buddhism does not specifically regard homosexuality as a sin and has no specific prohibitions regarding the orientation.[15] However, kathoeys are still only begrudgingly accepted in many corners of Thai society.[16] Kathoey have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender, and restrictions come with the identity. Kathoey cannot officially change their birth sex on birth certificates or passports, meaning they cannot marry someone of the same sex (even if they identify with a different gender).[13]: 121–138 

Though kathoeys have experienced some prestige in the past, they still face many struggles in everyday life. Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion, while others dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives in the open.[12] Beginning in the 1950s, the existence of kathoeys began to be acknowledged, which can be seen in the media of the time. The trend of kathoeys being a regular part of entertainment such as movies, music entertainment, and television shows is rather recent.[15]

Angee edit

A kathoey who is attracted to Toms.[8]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Jackson, Peter A. (1997-07-08). "Thai research on male homosexuality and transgenderism and the cultural limits of Foucaultian analysis". Journal of the History of Sexuality. 8 (1): 52–85. JSTOR 3704488. PMID 11619530.
  2. ^ "Professor Peter A. Jackson". Australian National University. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  3. ^ Phimphawan Bunmongkhon & Jackson, Peter A. (Eds.) (2012). Thai sex talk the language of sex and sexuality in Thailand. Mekong Press. pp. 100–111, 121–123. ISBN 9786169005353. OCLC 836092696.
  4. ^ William A. Stricklin (2020). The Prince and I: Miss Olive. Dorrance Publishing. p. 176.
  5. ^ a b Wilson, Ara (July 2004). The Intimate Economies of Bangkok: Economies of Bangkok Tomboys, Tycoons, and Avon Ladies in the Global City. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520239685.
  6. ^ Becker, Benjawan Poomsan (1998). Thai for Intermediate Learners. Bangkok: Paiboon Poomsan Publishing. ISBN 1887521011.
  7. ^ Jody Houton (2016). A Geek in Thailand. Tuttle Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-8048-4448-2.
  8. ^ a b c d "Thailand Has 18 Different Gender Identities". 30 January 2017.
  9. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUagSrRd6kI YouTube video,Coconuts Media (documentary),Toms: The Complex World of Female Love in Thailand Published on Jan 23, 2015
  10. ^ "kathoey". Wiktionary. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  11. ^ "ladyboy". Wiktionary. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b Winter, Sam; Udomsak, Nuttawut (2002). . International Journal of Transgenderism. 6 (1). ISSN 1434-4599. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  13. ^ a b Jackson, Peter A; Sullivan, Gerard (1999). Lady Boys, Tom Boys, Rent Boys: Male and Female Homosexualities in Contemporary Thailand. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1560231196.
  14. ^ Michaelson, Jay (2015-02-08). "Thailand's Transgender People Aren't Just 'Ladyboys' Anymore". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  15. ^ a b Jackson, Peter A. (August 2003). "Performative Genders, Perverse Desires: A Bio-History of Thailand's Same-Sex and Transgender Cultures". Intersections: Gender, History, and Culture in the Asian Context (9). Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  16. ^ Hodal, Kate (2012-01-17). "Flying the flag for ladyboys: Thai airline takes on transgender flight attendants". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2015.

Further reading edit

  • Farrell, James Austin (14 December 2015). . Asian Correspondent. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015.
  • Forbes, Andrew; Hinshelwood, Colin (2012). Ladyboy: Thailand's Theater of Illusion. Cognoscenti Books. ISBN 978-1300522546.
  • Gecker, Jocelyn (April 27, 2011). "Lesbian Chic takes hold in Thailand". NBC News.
  • Grünhagen, Céline (2013). Geschlechterpluralismus Im Buddhismus: Zur Tragweite Westlicher Wissenschaftskonstruktionen Am Beispiel Fruhbuddhistischer Positionen Und Des Wandels (Studies in Oriental Religions) (in German) (1st ed.). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3447068543. ISSN 0340-6792. JSTOR j.ctvbqs3ct.
  • hector, alley (February 15, 2011). . AfterEllen. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015.
  • Jarernpanit, Thannapat (January–June 2019). "The Gender Issues and Identities of the Young Tomboy and Lesbian in Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok of Thailand". Rajabhat Journal of Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences. 20 (1). Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University: 172–184. ISSN 1905-3193.
  • Leach, Anna (5 February 2013). "Thai tomboy students demand the right to wear pants". Gay Star News.
  • Redfern, Corinne (November 30, 2015). "Global Report: Meet The Tomboys Of Thailand". Marie Claire.
  • Sinnott, Megan J. (2004). Toms and Dees: Transgender Identity and Female Same-Sex Relationships in Thailand. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0824827410.
  • Totman, Richard (2003). The Third Sex: Kathoey: Thailand's Ladyboys. London: Souvenir Press. p. 57. ISBN 0285636685.

External links edit

  • Tomboy Bangkok

January 01, 1970
gender, identities, thailand, thailand, find, several, different, gender, roles, identities, diverse, visual, markers, masculinity, femininity, beyond, traditional, male, female, roles, there, categories, individuals, gender, conforming, whether, looks, behavi. In Thailand one can find several different gender roles identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity Beyond the traditional male and female roles there are categories for individuals who are gender non conforming whether in looks or behavior These are generally regarded as sub types of each sex rather than a distinct gender identity and correlate strongly with homosexuality Demand and support for positive self identity is growing in Thailand 1 52 85 2 Contents 1 Heterosexual 1 1 Male 1 2 Female 2 Tom Dee identity 2 1 Tom identity 2 2 Dee identity 2 3 Tom dee within society 2 4 Tom Gay 2 5 Lesbian 2 6 Female roles vis a vis identity 2 7 Adam 3 Kathoeys 3 1 Acceptance of kathoeys 3 2 Angee 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHeterosexual editMale edit A heterosexual male is the only sexuality which refers not just to physical sex but gender identity as well Note this may differ from Western ideas of heterosexual male to which lesbian sex has been eroticized This means he seeks a traditional Thai female but does not accept as a sexual or marriage partner the other female gender identities listed below Female edit A heterosexual female refers to the traditional female who seeks the traditional heterosexual male man in Thai society Tom Dee identity editTom identity edit A tom thxm from the English word tomboy is a female who dresses acts and possibly speaks in a masculine fashion She may not identify as a lesbian but she may be perceived as one by others 3 Toms wear short hair a deviation from Thai tradition which has prized long hair as a sign of feminine beauty since a Europeanization of customs during the Victorian era while short hair was the norm for Central Thai women until c 1900 4 Women usually wear skirts in Thailand and in many government offices skirts are compulsory and pant suits banned Toms dress in men s clothing slacks sandals and loose fitting button down shirts According to Ara Wilson a tom will use male speech terms especially the old now crude pronouns goo Thai ku for I and mueng Thai mung for you 5 6 127 131 Dee identity edit The dee di from the English word lady is a homosexual or bisexual female who follows outward Thai gender norms A dee will look act and speak in a manner congruent with Thai female gender norms The only difference between dees and traditional females is that dee often engage in relationships with toms 5 Some dees however seek other dees Tom dee within society edit Heterosexual public displays of affection are frowned upon in Thai culture However minor displays of affection such as hand holding between same sex individuals is considered the norm In this way tom dee partnerships can be invisible to the wider society 7 Tom Gay edit A Tom Gay is a Tom who is attracted to all 3 types of women heterosexual women Toms and Dees 8 Lesbian edit A lesbian in Thai culture differs from the West i e a woman who is attracted to the traditional gender adhering Thai female 8 Female roles vis a vis identity edit Within the female community there are roles which complicate identity Particular among them are one way and two way which refer to the perceived permanent sexual roles of giver and receiver and giver respectively but taking on a broader meaning than merely sex A 1 way tom would see it fit to take care of the female both materially pay for everything and psychologically but not accept the same in return Conversely the terms king and queen refer to active or receptive roles yet can also be situational rather than an identity The same terms king and queen are used for male homosexual roles Toms may seek dees or toms in which case they may be referred to as Tom Gay Kings toms may be 1 way or 2 way Dees may seek toms or dees 9 Adam edit An Adam is a male who is attracted to Toms 8 Kathoeys editMain article Kathoey Although the terms kathoey 10 or ladyboy 11 are rather ambiguous simply put both terms refer to someone assigned male at birth who dresses as and adopts the mannerisms and identity of a woman Though the term is often translated as transgender the term is rarely used in Thailand Instead Thais use the term kathoey This term can now also be used to refer to any male homosexual and was originally used to refer to intersex people 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 12 The term can also be meant as an insult especially to those who are trying to alter or openly express their identity as it suggests that they are still men who are merely dressed as women citation needed The term is used rather loosely at times and can be used to refer to any male who possesses traditionally feminine qualities Most kathoeys prefer to call themselves a transformed goddess or a second type of woman 13 Acceptance of kathoeys edit Kathoeys are numerous in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society not only in the cities but in the countryside as well 14 Thai Buddhism does not specifically regard homosexuality as a sin and has no specific prohibitions regarding the orientation 15 However kathoeys are still only begrudgingly accepted in many corners of Thai society 16 Kathoey have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender and restrictions come with the identity Kathoey cannot officially change their birth sex on birth certificates or passports meaning they cannot marry someone of the same sex even if they identify with a different gender 13 121 138 Though kathoeys have experienced some prestige in the past they still face many struggles in everyday life Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion while others dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives in the open 12 Beginning in the 1950s the existence of kathoeys began to be acknowledged which can be seen in the media of the time The trend of kathoeys being a regular part of entertainment such as movies music entertainment and television shows is rather recent 15 Angee edit A kathoey who is attracted to Toms 8 See also edit nbsp Thailand portal nbsp Transgender portal Hijra South Asia List of transgender related topics Hermaphrodite Bishōnen Butch and FemmeReferences edit Jackson Peter A 1997 07 08 Thai research on male homosexuality and transgenderism and the cultural limits of Foucaultian analysis Journal of the History of Sexuality 8 1 52 85 JSTOR 3704488 PMID 11619530 Professor Peter A Jackson Australian National University Retrieved 29 November 2015 Phimphawan Bunmongkhon amp Jackson Peter A Eds 2012 Thai sex talk the language of sex and sexuality in Thailand Mekong Press pp 100 111 121 123 ISBN 9786169005353 OCLC 836092696 William A Stricklin 2020 The Prince and I Miss Olive Dorrance Publishing p 176 a b Wilson Ara July 2004 The Intimate Economies of Bangkok Economies of Bangkok Tomboys Tycoons and Avon Ladies in the Global City Berkeley University of California Press ISBN 9780520239685 Becker Benjawan Poomsan 1998 Thai for Intermediate Learners Bangkok Paiboon Poomsan Publishing ISBN 1887521011 Jody Houton 2016 A Geek in Thailand Tuttle Publishing p 60 ISBN 978 0 8048 4448 2 a b c d Thailand Has 18 Different Gender Identities 30 January 2017 https www youtube com watch v rUagSrRd6kI YouTube video Coconuts Media documentary Toms The Complex World of Female Love in Thailand Published on Jan 23 2015 kathoey Wiktionary Retrieved 29 November 2015 ladyboy Wiktionary Retrieved 29 November 2015 a b Winter Sam Udomsak Nuttawut 2002 Male Female and Transgender Stereotypes and Self in Thailand International Journal of Transgenderism 6 1 ISSN 1434 4599 Archived from the original on 8 December 2015 Retrieved 29 November 2015 a b Jackson Peter A Sullivan Gerard 1999 Lady Boys Tom Boys Rent Boys Male and Female Homosexualities in Contemporary Thailand London Routledge ISBN 978 1560231196 Michaelson Jay 2015 02 08 Thailand s Transgender People Aren t Just Ladyboys Anymore The Daily Beast Retrieved 29 November 2015 a b Jackson Peter A August 2003 Performative Genders Perverse Desires A Bio History of Thailand s Same Sex and Transgender Cultures Intersections Gender History and Culture in the Asian Context 9 Retrieved 29 November 2015 Hodal Kate 2012 01 17 Flying the flag for ladyboys Thai airline takes on transgender flight attendants The Guardian Retrieved 29 November 2015 Further reading editFarrell James Austin 14 December 2015 The price of change and the right to be a woman in Thailand Asian Correspondent Archived from the original on December 15 2015 Forbes Andrew Hinshelwood Colin 2012 Ladyboy Thailand s Theater of Illusion Cognoscenti Books ISBN 978 1300522546 Gecker Jocelyn April 27 2011 Lesbian Chic takes hold in Thailand NBC News Grunhagen Celine 2013 Geschlechterpluralismus Im Buddhismus Zur Tragweite Westlicher Wissenschaftskonstruktionen Am Beispiel Fruhbuddhistischer Positionen Und Des Wandels Studies in Oriental Religions in German 1st ed Wiesbaden Harrassowitz Verlag ISBN 978 3447068543 ISSN 0340 6792 JSTOR j ctvbqs3ct hector alley February 15 2011 Thailand gets Tomboy Chic AfterEllen Archived from the original on July 8 2015 Jarernpanit Thannapat January June 2019 The Gender Issues and Identities of the Young Tomboy and Lesbian in Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok of Thailand Rajabhat Journal of Sciences Humanities amp Social Sciences 20 1 Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University 172 184 ISSN 1905 3193 Leach Anna 5 February 2013 Thai tomboy students demand the right to wear pants Gay Star News Redfern Corinne November 30 2015 Global Report Meet The Tomboys Of Thailand Marie Claire Sinnott Megan J 2004 Toms and Dees Transgender Identity and Female Same Sex Relationships in Thailand Honolulu Hawaii University of Hawaii Press ISBN 978 0824827410 Totman Richard 2003 The Third Sex Kathoey Thailand s Ladyboys London Souvenir Press p 57 ISBN 0285636685 External links editTomboy Bangkok Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gender identities in Thailand amp oldid 1220834651, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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