The fact that 10 societies recognize more than two genders underscores that gender plurality has deep roots in human history, not just a contemporary buzzword. Across continents, many nations have enacted laws that officially acknowledge a third—or even additional—gender categories, while others have long‑standing cultural practices that honor non‑binary identities without any legal paperwork. Some of these societies only grant recognition when a person is born with intersex traits that defy the classic male/female binary, whereas others embrace self‑identified gender expressions that differ from the sex assigned at birth.
10 The Hijra Of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, And Nepal
Hijras are individuals assigned male at birth who live as women, adopting feminine attire, makeup, and social roles. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the state officially lists them as a third gender, though many Hijras prefer to be identified simply as women rather than a separate category.
Historical records trace Hijras back thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent, even appearing in sacred Hindu scriptures. Their status took a dark turn during British colonial rule when, in 1897, they were criminalized under the Criminal Tribes Act, pushing many into clandestine communities led by a senior figure often referred to as the “mother.”
Post‑colonial India saw the continuation of systemic discrimination: medical professionals sometimes refused treatment, police harassment was commonplace, and employers shied away from hiring Hijras. These pressures propelled many into precarious livelihoods, including sex work.
Health‑wise, Hijras face a disproportionate HIV burden. In Mumbai, roughly 18 % of Hijras test positive for HIV, a stark contrast to the national prevalence of about 0.3 %.
9 The Muxes Of Mexico
The Zapotec community of Oaxaca acknowledges a third gender known as muxes. While many muxes are men who embody feminine traits, there is no strict definition, leaving each individual to self‑determine their status.
The term “muxes” derives from the Spanish word “mujer” meaning woman, yet muxes reject being labeled as women. They also distance themselves from categories such as gay, transgender, or bisexual.
Language adds another layer of complexity: Zapotec is gender‑neutral, which can cause confusion for outsiders translating muxe narratives into gendered languages, especially when deciding whether to use “he” or “she.”
In Oaxaca, muxes are celebrated with a three‑day festival called Vela de las Intrepidas (Vigil of the Intrepids). However, they sometimes encounter resistance elsewhere in Mexico, particularly regarding access to women’s restrooms.
8 The Xaniths Of Oman
In Oman, the term xanith describes a male who adopts feminine behaviors, such as wearing makeup and styling hair with oil. Their presence is tolerated within the predominantly Islamic society because it is believed their effeminate demeanor is innate rather than a deliberate choice.
Nevertheless, xaniths strive to set themselves apart from women. Men traditionally wear plain white tunics, women favor brightly patterned garments, while xaniths opt for solid‑colored tunics. Their hair length sits between the short cuts of men and the longer styles of women.
Hair‑combing styles also differ: men comb forward‑to‑back, women back‑to‑forward, while xaniths comb their hair diagonally. Some xaniths engage in sexual relations with men, though marriage to a woman or reaching old age typically reverts them to a male social role.
7 The Bugis Tribe Of Indonesia Recognizes Five Genders
The Bugis of Sulawesi identify five gender categories: oroane (masculine men), makkunrai (feminine women), calabai (masculine individuals who adopt feminine roles), calalai (feminine individuals who take on masculine roles), and bissu (beings embodying both male and female essences).
Calabai are biologically male but live as women; they typically reject being called women. Conversely, calalai are biologically female who assume male attire, mannerisms, and occupations.
The bissu occupy a liminal space, neither wholly male nor female. They don both masculine and feminine clothing and are thought to possess a blend of human and divine qualities, sometimes believed to be the first entities on Earth.
Becoming a bissu can occur in two ways: through hermaphroditism (having both reproductive systems) or by possessing the soul of the opposite sex. This fluidity can also allow calalai or calabai to transition into a bissu role.
6 The Two‑Spirit People Of North America
“Two‑spirit” serves as an umbrella term for Indigenous North Americans who embody both masculine and feminine qualities, or who possess gender expressions that differ from their birth‑sex assignment. These individuals often fulfill roles associated with both genders and are traditionally viewed as bearers of good fortune.
Within many tribes, a male‑identified person who takes on female roles marries a woman, while a female‑identified person who assumes male roles marries a man. Early European colonizers labeled such individuals as “berdaches,” a term that carried a stigma of homosexuality.
Missionary activity in the early 20th century intensified persecution, leading many two‑spirit people to suffer severe mental health crises, including suicide. The 1960s saw a resurgence of pride as Indigenous activists reclaimed the term “two‑spirit” to replace the pejorative “berdache.”
5 The Six Genders Of Classical Judaism
Classical Jewish law recognized six distinct gender categories: zachar (male), nekeivah (female), androgynos (half‑male, half‑female), ay’lonit (female who transitions to male at puberty), saris (male who transitions to female at puberty), and tumtum (individuals with indeterminate sexual characteristics).
Tumtums enjoyed a unique flexibility: they could marry either men or women, assuming the gender role appropriate to the spouse—husband‑like duties with a female partner, wife‑like duties with a male partner.
4 The Fa’afafines Of Samoa
Samoa acknowledges a third gender known as fa’afafine, literally “in the manner of a woman.” These are boys who are raised as girls, embodying a distinct gender identity separate from both “male” and “female” labels.
Fa’afafine assert that they are neither transgender nor homosexual, as those terms reference binary categories. They typically assume domestic and caregiving roles associated with women, though they may also form romantic partnerships with women or other fa’afafine.
While some fa’afafine are believed to be born with this identity, others result from parental decisions—particularly families with many sons and no daughters may designate a son as fa’afafine. This forced rearing can be abusive, with pressure to conform through physical punishment or encouragement to prove masculinity via sports.
3 The Sekratas Of Madagascar
Madagascar’s cultural tapestry includes the sekrata, a third‑gender group comprising boys raised as girls who later live as women. Their outward appearance—long hair, jewelry, and feminine attire—often leads outsiders to assume they are men in women’s clothing.
Identifying as women, sekrata adopt speech patterns, behaviors, and dress traditionally linked to females. They typically avoid male‑dominated activities such as military service or cattle herding.
Local belief endows sekrata with mystical powers; they are thought capable of casting curses on those who insult them, reinforcing both reverence and fear within the community.
2 The Guevedoces Of The Dominican Republic
In certain Dominican Republic communities, a third gender called guevedoce (literally “penis at 12”) is recognized. These children are born with ambiguous genitalia that appear female, leading families to assign them female names and raise them as girls.
During puberty, a surge in testosterone triggers the development of a concealed penis, revealing a male phenotype. Dr. Julianne Imperato‑McGinley’s 1970s research uncovered that a deficiency in the enzyme 5‑alpha‑reductase caused this delayed masculinization.
While many guevedoces embrace their newfound male identity, some resist the change, opting for gender‑affirming surgery to remain women. The condition also spurred medical advances, notably the creation of finasteride, a drug now used to treat enlarged prostates.
1 The Warias Of Indonesia
Warias are biologically male individuals who live as women, believed to possess a feminine soul within a male body. Their name blends the Indonesian words wanita (woman) and pria (man).
Some waria undergo sex‑reassignment surgery, while others retain their male anatomy but adopt traditionally feminine behaviors and attire. Public opinion in Indonesia is divided: certain communities revere waria as spiritual healers, whereas others subject them to harassment, stripping, and even forced head shaving.
Facing widespread discrimination and limited economic opportunities, many waria turn to prostitution to survive.
10 societies recognize the richness of gender diversity worldwide
From South Asian Hijras to Caribbean guevedoces, the spectrum of gender identities demonstrates humanity’s capacity for cultural nuance and acceptance. By learning about these societies, we gain insight into how gender can be celebrated, regulated, or challenged across different continents.