Decolonial trans discourses question the universalised assumption of a transgender identity. In the Indian context, the lives of hijras are shown as an example that troubles the Western-centric trans discourses which universalised trans lived experiences. However, the gender and sexuality studies framework in India have ignored the existence of trans men. This chapter examines the hitherto ignored lives of trans men in India. Many trans men in South India have migrated and settled in Bengaluru, the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. They were assisted by Bengaluru-based NGOs working on gender and sexual minorities to relocate and settle in the city. I conducted an ethnographic study to reach out to migrant trans men. Tomboyism was tolerated by the families until trans men reached adolescence. Once they entered adolescence, they were instructed to change their masculine behaviour and become feminine. This created an identity crisis for them. When they disobeyed, gender-based humiliation (GBH) and gender-based violence (GBV) were used as corrective mechanisms. GBH and GBV forced trans men to leave their natal homes and relocate to Bengaluru. The study found that the predominant factor that motivated their relocation to Bengaluru with the assistance of NGOs was driven by their desire to find a space where they could freely express their non-conforming gender identities and desires. Reflecting on the existing discussions on decoloniality, the chapter suggests that the question of decolonising transgender paradigm is linked not only with challenging the universalisation of transgender studies framework but also with accepting and recognising multiple gender expressions that were penalised and systematically excluded since the colonial era.

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Uncovering the Intricate Lived Experiences of Migrant Trans Men in Bengaluru Through a Decolonial Lens

  • Agaja Puthan Purayil

摘要

Decolonial trans discourses question the universalised assumption of a transgender identity. In the Indian context, the lives of hijras are shown as an example that troubles the Western-centric trans discourses which universalised trans lived experiences. However, the gender and sexuality studies framework in India have ignored the existence of trans men. This chapter examines the hitherto ignored lives of trans men in India. Many trans men in South India have migrated and settled in Bengaluru, the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. They were assisted by Bengaluru-based NGOs working on gender and sexual minorities to relocate and settle in the city. I conducted an ethnographic study to reach out to migrant trans men. Tomboyism was tolerated by the families until trans men reached adolescence. Once they entered adolescence, they were instructed to change their masculine behaviour and become feminine. This created an identity crisis for them. When they disobeyed, gender-based humiliation (GBH) and gender-based violence (GBV) were used as corrective mechanisms. GBH and GBV forced trans men to leave their natal homes and relocate to Bengaluru. The study found that the predominant factor that motivated their relocation to Bengaluru with the assistance of NGOs was driven by their desire to find a space where they could freely express their non-conforming gender identities and desires. Reflecting on the existing discussions on decoloniality, the chapter suggests that the question of decolonising transgender paradigm is linked not only with challenging the universalisation of transgender studies framework but also with accepting and recognising multiple gender expressions that were penalised and systematically excluded since the colonial era.