Cultures that recognize more than two genders
Hijra of India: People of nonbinary gender expression have been an important part of Hindu society for over 2,000 years.
Hijra of India: Hijras are often born with male sexual characteristics, though they are also sometimes intersex.
Hijra of India: Hijra actually leave home to become part of the hijra community, where, removed from wider society.
Hijra of India: To many Hindus, the hijras' sacrifice of their procreative ability to the goddess.
Hijra of India: Tragically, when the British colonized much of South Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Hijra of India: Anti-hijra sentiment persists to this day, despite Bangladesh.
Fa'afafine and fa'afatama of Samoa: On the Polynesian island of Samoa, and within the Samoan diaspora.
Fa'afafine and fa'afatama of Samoa: These third and fourth genders have always existed within Samoan society.
Fa'afafine and fa'afatama of Samoa: These genders of the Samoan culture resist being squashed into other classifications.
Fa'afafine and fa'afatama of Samoa: These genders are fully accepted within their families and society.