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HUM 3163 (Okpala, FA2021)
Global Humanities
The Third Gender: A Tale from Mexico
- Lang and Kuhnle, "Intertextuality and Alternative Gender Categories in Non-Western Cultures"In the Western world, it is widely accepted as natural – and seen almost as a law of nature – that mankind is divided into two sexes or genders – males and females. In many cultures and societies, however, more than two sex and/or gender categories are recognized, which in some instances refer to the biological sex and in others to gender roles and social status.
- Alfredo Mirande, "A Blessing from God"
Vicenta Toledo made the statement quoted above while attending a muxe vela in Mexico City with her muxe son. The CBS News story that quoted her focused on how the vela brought together indigenous muxes from Juchitán and members of the Mexico City gay community. The broadcast added that according to anthropologists, some Juchitecas actually “encourage their sons’ muxe leanings because they tend to stay home and care for their parents rather than get married” (CBS News 2013, 2). In chapter 3, I looked at how third-gender muxes in Juchitán have redefined the research on doing and undoing gender, focusing... - Natural History Museum of LA County, "Beyond Gender: Indigenous Perspectives, Muxe"The Anthropology Department in partnership with the Community Engagement team are excited to share contemporary stories and NHM collections items spotlighting the Mapuche, Muxe, Fa'afafine and Fa'afatama. Follow along for two additional stories linked below highlighting these vibrant and diverse third gender communities from all around the world.