Meti (gender)

Meti is a term used, in the country of Nepal, referring to a feminine displaying and masculine bodied individual.[1] Known in western culture and society as transgender. The word meti or metis is predominantly used to refer to a transgender male.[1] Metis are a part of a larger group of queer individuals in Nepal referred to as anya.[2]

Metis are an officially recognized third gender in the country of Nepal as of a Supreme Court ruling in 2007. As of this Supreme Court ruling, metis are able to be officially recognized by the Nepalese government – able to have a government-issued ID card listing “both” as an option under “gender”.[3][4] This also set a precadent of using self-determination as a source of proof in determining a person eligibility in establishing a gender on government documents.

Discrimination

Discrimination is a common issue among self-identified meti individuals. In the country of Nepal ‘unnatural sex’ is still illegal despite the more progressive inclusion of a third-gender on registration forms in Nepal.[5] In 2004, 39 meti individuals were arrested and detained for ‘spreading perversion’ and furthermore were unable to receive due process, as a result of the lack of LGBT support among Nepalese laws. Although a potential amelioration to the situation could be acquired by pushing for education and informing of the citizens of Nepal.[5]

Meti are commonly associated with the Blue Diamond Society of Nepal.[6] The society is a LGBT rights association devoted to crusading for the rights of marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals.

HIV

The HIV epidemic prevalent in Nepal is especially concentrated among the meti community.[7] This can be attributed to the unique struggle that Meti face finding employment and acceptance in society. Many meti are pushed into the[3] sex-industry working as prostitutes and are unwelcome in any other roles in society.[2] As with issues of discrimination, the key to starting to solve the HIV epidemic among meti is making knowledge readily available and educating about safe-sex methods.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Knight, Michael Bochenek, Kyle. "Establishing a Third Gender Category in Nepal: Process and Prognosis | Emory University School of Law | Atlanta, GA". Emory University School of Law. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  2. 1 2 Cantera, Angel L. Martinez. "Nepal's 'third gender'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  3. 1 2 "Decision of the Supreme Court on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex (LGBTI) People" (PDF). Gay Law Net.
  4. ↑ "Citizenship Trangendered ID Issued for Nepali Meti". www.ukgaynews.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  5. 1 2 Anonymous (2004-08-12). "Nepal: IGLHRC Condemns Violence and Arbitrary Arrests". OutRight. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  6. 1 2 "The WE News Archives Transexuality in Napal". kewe.info. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Erin; Pant, Sunil Babu; Comfort, Megan; Ekstrand, Maria (2016-10-07). "Stigma and HIV risk among Metis in Nepal". Culture, health & sexuality. 13 (3): 253–266. doi:10.1080/13691058.2010.524247. ISSN 1369-1058. PMC 3030668Freely accessible.

External links

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