Posted on by Queer News

Transgender Networking

Networking is important, whether its for work, social, or just fun and play. Before we get into networking yourself as a trans woman, let’s ask some important questions.

What are your goals and background?

For the sake of discussion, let’s say you have been cross dressing for years but never thought simply putting on the clothes was enough.

Maybe you have ventured out into gay venues and you don’t quite fit that venue either. Now what?

More than likely it’s time to reach down into the “label” bin and pull out the “transgender” one. You feel the need to express yourself as a female in everyday society. If this is you, read on.

The first lesson to be learned in the bright lights of the world is the need to communicate. As I have said many times, I couldn’t believe how many people felt the need to talk to me. Here I was scared to death and they wanted to chat? Really?

I learned quickly the worst course was not to respond. If I was going to walk the walk, I needed to talk the talk. Turned out it was a scary but wise choice.

Like many of you, I was very unsure where I was going in this whole process, but very quickly I was finding out. Very simply I learned the great majority of the public was fine with the fact I was a trans woman, and slowly but surely I started networking my new life. I discovered a new inner peace I had never known. I was home.

Now, your network possibilities are as diverse as you are, so some thing that worked for me may or may not work for you, or you might find options I haven’t even explored yet.

I happened to be a huge sports fan and put simply started to go to a couple upscale sports bar in my jeans, boots and sometimes even a jersey-as a girl. Hell, genetic women did it why couldn’t I? As luck would have it, within a couple months I actually became accepted as a regular and struck up conversations with the bar tenders and other patrons… mostly women.

Two years later, I’m fortunate to have remained in contact with most of them. Moreover I have also become friends with some of their friends.

My advice would be to be to take one of your favorite interests as a male and transfer them to your female side. Think about it. It’s not that hard. Almost all pursuits today have a male and female following. Mine happened to be sports.

Ironically the other networking tool I used was the most foreign one for one of my generation: computer dating.

Actually my participation was more of computer contacting, rather than dating. I won’t bore you with the extreme number of contacts I went through on several different sites by both sides of the gender spectrum. I will tell you that I found two dear friends from the process and I am a believer in it if you are careful and patient.

So, good luck on your quest. The bottom line is to follow your soul. She will show you the path. If she doesn’t, that’s OK too. Maybe she or you aren’t ready. Just wait until you are!

This is one of the times that life isn’t too short to find your way through a very complex gender process.

Cyrsti Hart

23 June 2012 – @tglife.com

2012-06-23 01:23:00

Posted on by Queer News

Christians Against Gays & Gay Marriage?

Are Christians against gays?

Gay marriages have hardly ever received religious sanction, especially never so in the realms of Christian Catholicism. The Catholic Church has time and again, raised serious protests against the legalization and public acceptance of same-sex marital unions, across several regions of the world. Such religious condemnation is one of the main impediments in the battle being fought by the gay community across the world.

The Catholic Church believes that homosexual relations are against the dictates of the Bible. God created the male and female anatomy such that they are physically complimentary to one another so that they can reproduce and procreate, producing human offspring for the progression of the species. However, same-sex relationships are not conducive to the idea of procreation, and are believed to have been condemned in some interpretations of Biblical texts. In that sense, gay unions are against the biological norms of nature and staunch Catholics consider them to be a violation of God’s establishment of a harmonious society. This is the basic argument put forward by the higher Catholic authorities as well as some followers of the religion as well.

The Catholic opposition to gay marriage also drives strength from the fact that their conduct of religion is centered upon a very high view of marriage and human sexuality. Christian Scriptures are cited to reiterate the importance and significance of marital relations and human sexuality. The Book of Genesis is known to reflect that marriage and sexuality were designed such by God to be sacred gifts to mankind.

“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Gen. 2:18).

“A man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).”

The above mentioned sections are often quoted to explain the religious sanctity of marriage as God had ordained. Male and female sexuality were to compliment one another so that they could unite in the Holy union of marriage. And since marriage for Catholics, is a Holy vocation, they hold it in reverence and thus try to defend it against “harm”, be it in terms of homosexuality or otherwise.

The Catholic Church also believes that gay marriages are a detriment to society. In their argument and protect against the acceptance of same-sex marital unions, they interweave their religious and social concerns to put forward a stronger case. Since gay unions cannot facilitate procreation, they do not play any biological function is society which is supposed to be an important element of the entire marital institution. In consequence to this, the Church believes that the sanctity of a marriage between homosexuals is thus little, if not inconsequential.

While the Catholic Church in its entirety is seen as an opposing force to gay marital union, there is a large body of Catholic Christians that does not react to the idea of same-sex marriages in the same manner. Some also argue that the Biblical references that are given to justify a Holy rejection of same-sex relations may not have been related to the question of homosexuality at all. This takes the religious debate into the arena of interpretation and reinterpretation of the Bible. However, since there is no way to judge upon the correctness of any Biblical interpretation, this debate is not expected to reach any concrete conclusion.

This is however, not to say that Catholicism represents a complete an absolute boycott of the homosexual population of the world. Yes, the Catholic Church is not a proponent of homosexuality and same-sex marriages. However, a complete rejection of gay people and their lifestyle is not what the Catholic Church stands for either. The bottom line here is that Catholicism has been an opposing voice in the debate over gay marriages and their legalization. It cites religious as well as social factors as the basis for such a stance. But its view on gay marriages is not a complete reflection of the Catholic treatment of homosexuality. While the debate goes on and on, one can only wonder whether there shall ever be an effective conclusion to it, and if so, which voice shall emerge victorious.

gaymarriagesupport.com/christians-against-gays-gay-marriage – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

Coming Out in the Open

In contemporary times, the gay community across the world has got a larger space for expression in society. However, this does not in any way, reflect upon the genuine attitude that a large section of the population harbor for homosexuals. In fact, in most of the less developed parts of the world, as well as more broad-minded societies, people face discrimination and social seclusion based upon their sexual orientation. Often, the fear of facing rejection and silent condemnation from their peers, family or the general populace at large, leads homosexuals to suppress their homoerotic impulses or else get involved in clandestine relationships that rely upon secrecy to be successful. Either way, living such a life is not healthy for there is a constant sense of inadequacy in this nature of existence. It is thus advised by psychologists as well as gay activists that homosexuals should not hesitate to come out of the closet and express their sexual preference without any qualms.

For homosexuals to be as unguarded about their sexual orientation as heterosexuals, they shall need the comfort of knowing that they will get part of, if not similar degree of acceptance as the latter. What gay people often do not realize is that keeping their homosexuality within wraps, they themselves are also conforming to the sexual stereotypes which they think society is burdening them with. If they are at peace with the reality of their sexual preference, the societal response should become a secondary concern. In fact, as more and more homosexuals have gone ahead and been candid about their orientation, the general public response has also undergone a change. As the active gay community becomes larger and stronger, they garner more respect and acceptance due to the very fact of being part of a more vast section of the population and not an extremely small minority.

While a large number of gay people keep their homosexuality a secret due to societal pressures and insecurities, more often than not, it is also because they are comfortable with their own reality. However, they must realize that the root cause of such discomfort also goes back to the general conditioning that one receives in regard with sexuality and preferences from their very birth. What they need t realize is that it is better to come out and face reality rather than live a lie. Studies and statistics support the fact that most homosexuals have found themselves to feel happier and more secure once they have come out of the closet and declared their orientation with no hint of embarrassment or regret.

It is important to realize that if a homosexual is fighting with their sexual impulses or keeping their orientation a secret, they are not at peace and are not probably living a very satisfactory life in that sense. It is often believed by the more vocal members of the gay community that they are better off risking undesirable societal reaction rather than living in a state of unhappiness, often even depression. The idea is that it is a fairer deal to risk unhappiness and be true to oneself, rather than be unhappy and live in denial or concealment.

Moreover, as the gay community has become more vocal and active in fighting for its rights (pro gay marriage), a large part of the formerly indifferent or disdainful population has broadened their outlook, being more aware about the reality of homosexuality and sexual preference. As the world community gets more aware about this issue, they simultaneously become more sensitized towards the idea of accepting them as one of their own.

It is therefore, a fair conclusion that homosexuals shall fare better if they are open about their sexual orientation. It shall not only help lighten their own mental burden but also contribute to the larger cause of gay activism that aims at changing the discriminatory attitude that society may harbor in regard with homosexuals. And in coming out of the closet, a gay person makes a decisive attempt to control their own life, which reflects personal growth and strength of character. For all the gay people in the world, go ahead and express yourselves, embrace your sexuality and let other’s notions of right and wrong affect your life.

gaymarriagesupport.com/coming-out-in-the-open – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

Crossdressing Transformation

When you decide to permanently dress cross gender dress, a cross dressing transformation will take place. But to have a cross dressing transformation will mean that you have taken several steps towards the goal of dressing like the opposite sex. That might sound easy but trust me, it’s harder than you think. Of course any man can go toss on a dress and away they go but to have him actually look as though he could be a woman, that takes some work.

When you begin your cross dressing transformation you will need to find clothing that will work for your body style and make it look great. For a man that wishes to dress like a woman it would be best for them to look in clothing stores that cater to those who are cross dressers. Reason being that they have their store full of clothes that are made specifically for those who have decided to undergo this mtf transformation.

Something that men might have a problem with when they go looking in any store for clothing is that many tops are made to accommodate breasts. Fortunately if you find that perfect top and you just need the breasts to complete the ensemble there are many bras that are made to both look and feel like they have actual breasts in them. That bra would actually enable you to shop at most any store that sold women’s blouses leaving no cap on what you could wear.

When picking out clothing for your cross dressing transformation no doubt that if you are a man you will want to try the ever classy high heels. Problem with those high heels is that many women have a hard time wearing them leaving it even harder for a man. Not because a man is any less talented than a woman but because of the difference in their size, shape and feet. It’s hard to balance on high heels but to get the practice you need simply wear them around your house before you take the plunge and wear them shopping. Best part is that you will be able to look silly or fall and no one will be there to see you if you practice in your home. But anybody can point out the man who is cross dressing when he goes strutting through the store with no practice.

A very important part of the cross dressing transformation is makeup. Makeup is wonderful as it can soften even the most masculine features. Many men who wear makeup for the first time tend to overdo their makeup a little as they see what they like on a woman and try to imitate it. A way that you can get makeup tips would be to go to your nearest makeup counter and ask them for help. They are trained to be able to help a customer find the best shade to fit their skin. Great makeup can complete the cross dressing transformation so that it will be hard to tell if you are cross dressing or were born that way.

There are many things to consider when you undergo a cross dressing transformation so that everything blends together. By reading these tips you can blend them so that life is a little easier.

crossdressingcafe.com – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

Crossdressing Makeup

When a man decides to begin cross dressing one of the things that he will have to master is the art of makeup. Cross dressing makeup can be difficult for a man unless he takes the time to learn that there is more to makeup than just tossing some on your face. There is preparation that needs to be done so that the finished product is smooth and flawless.

One of the things that will inhibit how flawless your cross dressing makeup can be is facial hair. There are procedures that you can have done that will actually eliminate all traces of facial hair. That would mean never having to shave again and definitely never having to worry about the shadows that can form where your beard should be. But if a procedure of that form is not something you can do at the time, at least buy the best razor there is to get the hair as short as possible or maybe even wax the hair off.

Once you have fixed the problem of facial hair you will need to think of what you can do to make your face as smooth and soft as can be. The reason that is important is because once you apply the makeup it can be obvious where there was dry skin or anything of that nature. To help cleanse and soften the skin there are some wonderful facial cleansers available that help with other stuff such as acne as well. Once you’ve washed the face, simply apply facial lotion to everywhere but the eyes of course.

Even though men have more facial hair, it seems that they don’t always get blessed with the best eyelashes. If that is the case then there are fake eyelashes that you can use that will save you from having to worry about bothering with mascara. All you need is some fake lashes and some lash glue that will help hold them on until you’re done with them. It’s best to buy lashes that have the little spaces between each lash as they will conform to your eyelid much better.

Now that your face is shaved and moisturized you can begin worrying about applying your cross dressing makeup. If there is still hint of a beard after you apply your foundation you can simply cover it with some orange lipstick, some camo paint (used by hunters and such) or simply beard concealer. Once you’ve covered your face with foundation and covered your beard in whichever way works best for you, you will need to cover your face with powder. Make sure when you purchase the powder that you match the shade to the color of your skin.

With the base of the makeup now in place you can finish up the look by adding some eye shadow, blush and lipstick. Picking out any one of those three can be very difficult as there are so many to pick from. When you do, keep in mind what kind of look you are going for. If you want glam, pick some dramatic colors. If you are simply going shopping, softer tones would work best. Lipstick is nice if you can buy the stuff that you can wear all day because then you just need some shimmer gloss to keep your lips fresh all day.

Crossdressing makeup is something that can add interest to even the simplest of outfits. Have fun with it.

crossdressingcafe.com – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

Crossdressing Tips

Cross dressing tips are very valuable to those that have decided to start cross dressing. But finding cross dressing tips aren’t always easy to find as many don’t understand the lifestyle. Fortunately for those needing cross dressing tips I will list a few for you that can make the whole new venture a little more interesting.

Clothing is very important as one of the cross dressing tips. I know that some will look at the outfits that the opposite sex wear and have something in mind that they want to try for themselves. But for those men that wish to wear women’s clothing you might find it hard to find a top that will fit you right. Main reason being something very obvious that women have and men don’t, breasts. When clothing designers make blouses and tops they make them so that they can fit breasts into them. There are designers that cater to those who wish to cross dress and can make tops that will look like they belong on a woman but can be worn by a man. Easiest way to fix that problem so that you can shop anywhere would be to purchase a bra that looks and feels like it has real breasts in it. Companies are making them specifically for those who wish to look as if they have breasts when they don’t or simply have bigger ones then they really do. A way for you to start the transition into women’s clothing would be to purchase a pair of women’s jeans. Start wearing those around and get yourself comfortable in them.

Most men who wish to dress like women will at some point in time wish to try high heels. This is one of the cross dressing tips that I really want to emphasize is that men in general have a hard time with high heels. Not just because of the height added to someone but also because men are just built differently. They have bigger calves than most women, bigger feet and an overall bigger frame. To wear high heels is hard for some women to do but for a man, it takes practice. If you really want to be able to wear high heels in public that’s fine, just practice in private first. Walk around your house in high heels so that if you look silly or maybe fall, nobody is there to laugh or tease you. Takes a lot of the stress out of it.

Makeup is a hard thing for men to be able to apply correctly to themselves when they first learn to cross dress. Mainly because they see something they like on a woman and try to copy it. But what they don’t take into consideration is that just because it looks good on a woman doesn’t mean it will on a man. Before you apply your makeup and head out for a night on the town you might want to get some pointers. Head to the local makeup counter and ask them to help you find the best makeup for you. Colors, shades and what foundation would be best are all things that they will be able to help you with.

By combining all of my cross dressing tips you can now have that perfect look that will make everything fall into place.

crossdressingcafe.com – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

How to Cross Dress

Millions of people each day wake up and decide that they want to try something new. For some it will be to go to the salon for a new hair do. For others it might be something completely different such as they want to learn how to cross dress. There are different levels of extremity that you can take when you learn how to cross dress, each one step further into the role of another gender. But to step into the role of cross dressing you can learn how to cross dress so that you can make the transition smoothly and with less commotion.

If you are a man wishing to dress like a woman something that you should keep in mind when you learn how to cross dress is that what looks good on a woman won’t necessarily look good on a man. Women are made differently and so therefore, so are their clothes. Companies have realized that and have made a few things that someone can purchase to make a man look far more feminine. There are bras made to look and feel like a real breast that you can buy to make that beautiful shirt look just right. Makes it nice if there was a shirt that you really wanted that just didn’t look right without the breasts to complete the ensemble.

For those men that wish to learn how to cross dress makeup is something you will wonder about sooner or later. Thing with makeup is that not all men know the right way to apply makeup. What you might think looks great on someone else might not be the way that your makeup is shown to others. If you really want to wear makeup the best way to learn how to apply it would either be to go to ask for help from someone you know or to go to the makeup counter to have them show you. Those people are paid to know how to best apply makeup and so can give you some of the best tips there are to get the look you want.

Wearing high heels is something that most men will try to figure out when they learn how to cross dress. Heels are at times a problem for many women let alone a man who is shaped differently, is usually taller, and has differently shaped feet than most ladies. Before you go out in public wearing heels you might consider walking around your home in them so that you have the process down. That way if you fall or look silly, no one else is there to point it out to you.

When you learn how to cross dress you will likely want to try everything you’ve learned when you go to town. Keep in mind that not everyone is going to accept your new look and be prepared for how you will react. People have an uncanny knack for making others feel bad about something that they really enjoy. If you already have prepared what you will say or do, it will make it a lot easier on yourself.

Now that you know how to cross dress go out and enjoy the world from a different point of view.

crossdressingcafe.com – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

MTF Crossdressing

Male to female crossdressing, also known as MTF crossdressing, is something that is gaining in popularity. Many men today are trying this trend and actually have been able to give the look of being a true woman. There are many things that help them to do that including the clothing they use, the hair they wear and the makeup they choose. All of these things make the MTF cross dressing experience more like male to femme transformation. I’ve actually seen many crossdressers before and have had to take a second look to see if that was really a man dressed as a woman. But the people who have been able to accomplish this have mastered the art by following a few simple guidelines that helped them make the transformation complete.

When one decides that they want to try MTF crossdressing they need to understand that just because you want to look like a woman, not everything that is made for a woman will look right on a man. Annoying but it’s true. Most all women’s tops and blouses are made to accommodate breasts which let’s face it, men just don’t have. If you want to make your venture permanent then yes, you can have breast augmentation so that you have breasts permanently there. But if you are simply trying out MTF cross dressing then something that you might try is buy a bra that makes you look as though you have breasts. There are several on the market that can make you look as though you have very natural looking breasts. They will give you not only the look of real breasts but the feel as well.

When shopping for clothes, you might try looking in a store that caters to those that like to crossdress. They will have clothing in their store that is made to look good on a man that wants to look like a woman. Clothing designers know that there is a market for that particular type of clothing need and have tapped into it making stores like this easier and easier to find. Also there are many online stores that you can visit that will have exactly what you are looking for.

Makeup is something that can complete any person that is trying MTF crossdressing. It can give you a look of true femininity but you must know how to apply it. One of the number one problems for men that chose this lifestyle is that they will see a look in a magazine or on someone else and try to imitate it whether it is a look for them or not. They like it so they try it. But what looks spectacular on one person can make another person look as though a clown rubbed faces with them. To avoid that ever happening, try having someone show you how to purchase and then apply the right makeup for you. If you don’t know anybody that can help you then try talking to someone at the nearest makeup counter as they are paid to know what looks good.

Keeping all of these things in mind will make MTF cross dressing something that holds fun as well as creativity.

crossdressingcafe.com – 2012

Posted on by Queer News

Review of Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of India

This book makes important contributions to the study of gender variance, sexuality, and South Asian cultures. It was awarded the Ruth Benedict Prize, given by the Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists, and contains a forward written by the sexologist John Money. Nanda’s focus is the hijras, effeminate or androgynous males who do not fulfill a standard man’s role. She bases her book on several years of fieldwork in an unnamed city in southern India, where she studied a hijra community of about two hundred persons. She also worked in Bombay, which is a center of hijra culture.

Nanda defines hijras as occupying an alternative gender role, distinct from either men or women. She draws comparisons with the American Indian berdache, the xanith of Oman, and the mahu in Tahiti. In contrast, she points out, the transsexual role in Western culture is not accepted as a fully recognized gender. This non-acceptance, she argues, is due to a lack of religious sanction and an “unyielding Western commitment to a dichotomous gender system” (p. 137), which expects all “normal” persons to conform to one of only two gender roles. Western ideology, uncomfortable with ambiguity, strives to resolve in-between categories.

Hindu ideology not only accomodates the reality of ambiguity anddiversity among different personality types, but also conceptionalizes androgynous persons as special sacred beings. Hindu mythology makes frequent reference to combined man/woman beings. The cognition of hijras as religious figures, as neither men nor women, provides them with social respect and an institutional character. They are seen as representatives of the Hindu goddess Bahuchara Mata, which gives them ritual power. Not just tolerating contradiction, but actively embracing it, Hindus believe that hijras have powers to bless heterosexual marriages so that they will be fertile, and infant males so that they will grow up to become masculine men.

Nanda, a professor at John Jay College, corrects many inaccuracies that anthropologists have written about hijras. First, she points out, they are not morphological hermaphrodites, but were androgynous in character from early childhood and voluntarily joined a hijra community during their adolescence. Second, they are not forced to undergo a surgical operation to remove their penis and testicles, though many of them do this by their own wish. Third, most hijras are sexually active with men, being the insertee in anal intercourse.

Some gain their livelihood through prostituting themselves to masculine males, while others marry a man and live together as husband and wife. Indian society traditionally did not see such pairings as “homosexual,” since hijras were not considered to be the same gender as their masculine partners. Hijras are not defined as “men,” because they have no desire to engage in masculine labor and activities, they do not wish to have sex with women, and they do not want to father children. Conversely, hijras are not seen as “women,” because even though they may engage in women’s occupations, they do not menstruate and cannot give birth. The book’s striking photographs show hijras dressed in women’s clothing, and wearing feminine hairstyles and jewelry. Yet, at the same time, Indian people recognize that hijras are not actually women. They are not-men/not-women.

Due to the Western colonial influence, which condemns gender variance and homosexuality, the status of hijras in modern Indian society has declined. Among Westernized Indians, hijras’ presence at weddings and baptismal ceremonials is only barely tolerated. Hijras’ temples are not given adequate financial support, and many hijras suffer employment discrimination. As a result, prostitution is often the only occupation open to them. Nanda’s study unfortunately does not address the impact of the spread of the AIDS epidemic. Recent reports indicate that AIDS infection is quite prevalent among both male and female prostitutes in India. The fact that vaginal or anal intercourse is now considered the only proper form of sexual interaction in India is unfortunate, especially considering the popularity of oral sex, interfemoral sex, and other less dangerous forms of erotic interaction in pre-colonial Asia. For many, the imposition of Western notions of “normal” sexuality will literally lead to death.

Though her psychoanalytic interpretation is problematic, Nanda’s study is an important addition to the growing literature of life histories. The book includes four hijras’ detailed personal narratives, which contribute to recent trends in feminist anthropology emphasizing life stories. Nanda rightly recognizes the need for scholars to acknowledge individual variation, to understand the gendered perspectives of non-Western peoples in their own words. This book avoids the pitfall of many ethnographies which present only a generalized “culture” while lacking a presentation of real peoples’ lives.

Nanda agrees with this reviewer’s thesis, presented in The Spirit and the Flesh: Sexual Diversity in American Indian Culture (Beacon 1986), that religion is the crucial factor in the acceptance of homosexuality and gender variance. Nanda concludes that alternative gender roles will be socially accepted when the religious ideology of that culture offers (1) a specific explanation for such difference, (2) formalized traditions in ritual, (3) a recognition that there are many different paths to personal fulfillment, enlightenment or salvation, and (4) the idea that gender-variant persons cannot resist following their own true nature, and are fated to be the way they are. The implications here are important for a cross-cultural understanding of homophobia, and what must be done for it to be overcome. It is not enough for a religion to be “tolerant” of gender diversity and sexual variation; it must also provide specific recognition for such diversity. By showing the social advantages to be gained by an appreciation for diversity, Nanda’s study deserves a wide reading.

Review of Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of India. By Serena Nanda.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1990.
Reviewed by Walter L. Williams, in American Ethnologist 1992.
transgender.org – 2011

Posted on by Queer News

The Spirit & The Flesh: Sexual Diversity In American Indian Culture

American Historical Review 93 (February 1988):218-219

By skillfully integrating historical and anthropological literature with the results of his own unique cross-cultural fieldwork among contemporary berdaches, Williams provides an extraordinarily perceptive study of the berdache and the most comprehensive treatment of this controversial topic to date. One of the goals of this work is to “allow Indian people to speak for themselves” (p.7). The most effective use of quotations occurs in part 1, which explores the character of the berdache… Particularly valuable insights are conveyed by various traditionalists…. This is a provocative book that will undoubtedly rattle a number of cages. It will also prove to be an essential tool for scholars engaged in gender studies and an extremely useful source for ethnologists, historians and others interested in the human condition. There is a wealth of information in the book.

American Anthropologist 89 (December 1987): 978-979.

Walter Williams produced a detailed study of the sexual diversity among American Indians in six years, 1980-1986. “The Spirit and the Flesh” achieves an important place in anthropological literature regarding berdaches or transvestites and homosexual behavior among American Indians by means of finding and interviewing berdaches.

The recent general sexual revolution in the United States and the gay liberation movement contributed greatly to the production of Williams’s wide-ranging and fully documented book. It will surprise some, shock some, but almost everyone can learn something new from it.

Journal of the American Academy of Religion 57 (Autumn 1989): 607-615.

Walter Williams explores both the extensive literature and the berdache phenomena in considerable depth in a volume that is a decided contribution to the discussion and understanding of complex issues. It becomes essential reading for all of us who would engage in an ongoing study, as well as for those busy academicians who would hope for at least some knowledge of the subject. They will find Williams’ style eminently readable and at the same time well documented….

Williams would push us to move beyond a commonly cited definition to think of berdachism as representing a third, distinctive gender, a ‘mixing’ of the two biologically obvious genders…. Williams perfers ‘gender mixing’ as a more appropriate description of berdaches as an in-between gender…. Williams does a good job of surveying a great variety of ethnographic, anthropological and historical reports… Williams does put the ethnographic evidence into a new interpretive framework. This much alone insures that his work will be in the center of academic discussion about berdache traditions. It should be added that he has also done rather broad field work assessing the state of the issue in contemporary tribal situations….

The analysis of the shifts in contemporary Indian cultures, as we have noted, is one of Williams’ intended contributions…. He advances far beyond other interpreters, although there are certain problems. The strength of Williams’ interpretation of the contemporary context and also the problematic is in the reporting of his field work, namely his broad based conversations with a variety of modern berdaches / gay Indians from very differing tribal traditions. While his treatment is not and probably could not yet be thoroughly systemic, he attempts to move beyond treatment of berdaches as merely a historical phenomenon…. At the very least, evidence from Native America will emphasize that it is simply not the case that the despising of homosexual individuals is a human universal.

Ethnohistory 37 (Autumn 1990):449-451.

Already a classic, this prodigal, prizewinning ethnography about cross-cultural sexual variation remedies serious empirical deficiencies even as it contains important interpretive problems of its own. The many and overwhelming data it presents confirm not only the presence of sanctioned homosexuality but its diverse institutionalization in indigenous and contemporary Native American cultures. Focused largely on male homosexuality, this book draws on Williams’ fieldwork in North America, Central America, and Hawaii and on his exhaustive excavation of the ethnographic and historical literature….

Most of the evidence for the berdache’s social legitimacy is strikingly convincing… yet at times the book’s argument does not seem to register the contradictory evidence which, to its credit, it actually cites…. The narrative and theoretical voice is stronger in the second, historical section of the book, which uses a dialectical model of colonial domination to examine the transformation of the berdache tradition since European contact…. [It] illustrates very powerfully how domination, by contradictorily facing in as well as out, generates resistance: the recent gay liberation movement among whites, having drawn symbolic nurturance from the surviving berdache tradition, has in turn helped to energize that tradition as a symbol and catalyst of its own culture’s revitalization….

The last chapter surveys data that suggest a wide cross-cultural range of sexual diversity. The concluding paragraphs rightly chastise social constructionists like Foucault and Weeks for their ethnocentric ignorance of emics, which prevents them from fully comprehending variant models of sexuality and gender or imagining truly revolutionary ones. While the book’s own use of etics is a bit random (the first section’s grab-bag functionalism posits now reproductive survival, now social leveling, now biopsychological need, as the telos of social custom), its description and evocation of emic categories admirably begin the task for whose continuation it calls.

Journal of American History 77 (June 1990): 308.

For decades anthropologists and historians have mentioned or provided brief discussions of the role of the berdache within traditional native American cultures, but this volume by Walter L. Williams, a professor of ethnohistory in the Program for the Study of Women and Men in Society at the University of Southern California, provides the first in-depth, systematic examination of this institution and its relationship to both Native American and Euro-American cultures. Combining extensive research in travel accounts, personal narratives, and anthropological reports with his own field research, Williams argues that the institution was prevalent throughout most of the western tribes, and that berdaches played prominent social, economic, and spiritual roles within tribal societies….

This is a well-researched, well-written study. Williams admirably blends his fieldwork with more traditional historical research, and the volume will unquestionably remain the standard reference work on this subject for the forseeable future. Unfortunately, however, Williams’s arguments for the legitimacy of the berdaches and his condemnation of Euro-American attitudes toward gay and lesbian sexual behavior occasionally border upon advocacy. In addition, his chapter arguing for the prevalence of clandestine homosexual behavior among such socio-economic groups as pirates or cowboys detract from his primary thesis. These shortcomings aside, this volume should be welcomed by historians and anthropologists studying Native Americans. It should also be well received by historians of sexuality.

 

by Walter L. Williams. Boston: Beacon Press, 1986 and revised edition 1992.

transgender.org – 2011