How is a burka like a "little black dress"?

[Lydia]

Hi all,

As I was reading the latest grim news from the Middle East, my train of thought went off the rails and posed a curious question. Would a male crossdresser in, say, Afghanistan wear a burka? If there were such a behavioral compulsion in a strict Muslim country, what would be the incentive to put on one of those cover-all black outfits?

I began to wonder if crossdressing is essentially a western-European cultural phenomenon? Back in 18th Century and Elizabethan times, crossdressing certainly existed. This despite the gaudy, frilly male costumes of the day. Women's clothes were still more gaudy and frilly.

On the other hand, crossdressing may be a desire to emulate the other gender, ungraceful or ugly as it might be. Maybe to Muslim eyes, a burka is beautiful and provocative. The fact that it may be hot and uncomfortable is not important. In our culture, it would seem to be an act of mental imbalance to wear a bra and girdle and pantyhose if you didn’t have to. Yet we do it, either because fashion demands it of the female, or requires it to emulate a female.

Perhaps there is some reference material on the history of crossdressing that I should see. At any rate, I thought this was an entertaining subject for a forum thread.

Hugs,

Lydia

[Paulie]

I think in the strictest interpretation of Muslim culture, one would be killed for crossdressing.

And we think we have it bad!

Actually... I really don't know, but I'm sure it's not looked favorably upon.

[DonnaT]

Not a huge problem for many Muslim areas, actually.

See
http://www.geocities.com/leylasuhagi/hijra.html

http://www.geocities.com/leylasuhagi/terms.html


I imagine it depends on what tribe one is in in Afghanistan, and whether there is Taliban enfluence.

[Lydia]

Hi Donna,

Fascinating links. Now I remember some references in "The Golden Bough" about Eastern cultures with men who dress and take the roles of women in the society. These are often revered as shamans - healers.

Maybe a burka to one is as titillating as a bikini to another.

Lydia

[Sally]

Even in the Muslim world there has been changes to their way of thinking about transsexuals over the last few years, albeit the requirement for SRS must be based on medical opinons as to the persons transsexuality, and not in any way linked to homosexuality as homosexuality is still seen as a sin.

It's not easy to find any written text on Crossdressing in the Middle East, but there is just a big of a percentage of CD's in the Muslim world as in any other culture, as can be seen that there are just as many TS's and Gay people amongst the Muslims. Nature doesn't differentiate between cultures the same as human beings do.

Below is an article written in the NY Times regarding Iran and TS's.

......................................................

Iran comes to terms with idea of sex change.
August 7, 2004.

Everything about Amir appears masculine: his broad chest, muscled arms, the dark full beard and deep voice. But Amir was a woman until four years ago, when, at the age of 25, he underwent the first of a series of operations that would change his life.
Since then he has had 20 operations and expects another four. And Amir, who as a woman was married twice to men - his second husband helped with the transition and remains a good friend - is now engaged to marry a woman.
"I love my life and I'm happy, as long as no one knows about my past identity," said Amir, who asked that his full name not be published. "No one has been more helpful than the judge, who was a cleric and issued the permit for my operation."
After decades of repression, Iran's Islamic government is recognising people with gender identity disorders and allowing them to have sex-change operations and obtain new birth certificates.
Before the Islamic revolution in 1979 there was no particular policy regarding transsexuals. Iranians with the inclination, means and connections could obtain the necessary medical treatment and new identity documents. However, the new religious government classed transsexuals and transvestites with gays and lesbians, who were condemned by Islam and faced a lashing.

But these days Iran's Muslim clerics, who dominate the judiciary, are considerably better informed about transsexuality. Some clerics now even recommend sex-change operations to those who are troubled about their gender. The issue was discussed at a conference in Tehran in June that drew officials from other Persian Gulf countries.

One cleric, Muhammad Mehdi Kariminia, is writing his thesis on transsexuality at the religious seminary of Qom.
"All the clerics and researchers at the seminary encouraged me to work on the subject," he said. "They said that my research can help change the social stigma attached to these people and clarify religious decrees on the matter."

One early campaigner for transsexual rights is Maryam Hatoon Molkara, formerly a man known as Fereydoon who had longed to become a woman since the days of the Shah,
but did not obtain government permission for surgery until 1986, eight years after the revolution. Then he could not afford the operation and did not have it until 1997, in Bangkok. The Iranian Government covered the expenses. Four years ago Ms Molkara established an organisation to help those with gender-identity problems.

Co-founders include Ali Razini, head of a branch of the judiciary that deals only with clerics, and Zahra Shojai, Iran's vice-president for women's affairs. An Islamic philanthropic group known as the Imam Khomeini Charity Foundation has agreed to provide loans to help pay for sex-change surgery.

To obtain legal permission for sex-change operations and new birth certificates, applicants must provide medical proof of gender-identity disorder. The process can take years.

The New York Times

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

Vern and Bonnie Bullough's "Cross Dressing Sex and Gender," which is a history of recorded crossdressing and transgenderism, has a chapter that looks at both worldwide. One of the examples cited were the Xanith of traditional Oman, who were/are a "third sex" group and the Baccha, a group that faded out around WWI.

The Bulloughs description of crossdressing in past eras does point out the difficulties that many trans people in the Middle East face in expressing themselves -- essentially it's similar to living a close-knit small town, where everyone knows everyone's business. And many Middle Eastern families live in multi-generational households, so needless to say privacy is harder to come by. Also, if you're poor, acquiring an "extra" wardrobe is needless to say is a tough proposition.

[Penni SO]

Hi ya Lydia,

Here is another site of transhistory www.squidoo.com/transhistory

It does'nt necessarily discuss cultural issues,however it is a very interesting time line.

Hugs Penni

[Gaven McLaren]

That was a very cool link. I know of a few not listed there. Both French from the time of Elizabeth I. King Henri III of France was known to sometimes wear the queens gowns in court. At the same time one of Elizabeths early suiters was found in his room with a courtire wearing her cloths. At a recent Ren. Faire I was at working security I heard that the faire had a no crossdressing rule. I was confussed how a California Faire could have that rule. Someone tried to say that it was because crossdressing was not "period" I had to respond with BS it not period.