Transvestites in Pakistan

[Dravina]

in UK on BBC2 tonight at 9pm
presented by 'The Apprentice' contestant Saira Khan

In the first episode, she meets Pakistan's top female TV star, who is not everything that she seems....

In a journey that takes her behind a veil of secrecy, Saira seeks out a transvestite community that traces its ancestors back to the Moghal Empire

[Road Runner]

Thanks Dravina I'll look out for that

RR.

[tsadmirer]

hi

Yes there is a huge community of transvestites in Pakistan. In our own language they are called "Heejra" or "Khusra". They usually have a head whom they call "Guru". They can be seen usually at marriages or birth celebrations. They dance and people give them money. There was a time during moghal empire, when these tvs had special place in the palace and they were rewarded greatly. But now, there is no place for them in the community (sadly) and people usually make fun of them in the markets where they come to collect money as beggars. Due to this rejection of the society, most of them are beggars or can be found late at night on dark corners of the streets offering prostitution at a very low price. Though drugs, begging and prostituition is strictly prohibited for them. Thats one side of the coin which is poor.

The other side is rich, open minded and high tech and here comes sissy boys (you can say they are tvs) in the elite class of this country who are doing the same thing IE offering their body for sex BUT the bigger difference is that they don't charge :-)) These boys are popular among growing gay/bi community of Pakistan.

I'm sure the programme will give you more facts but i just wanted to share my opinion with you guys.

thanks

TsAdmirer

[rxpharm]

tsadmirer, thanks for giving some more details. They sound a lot like the Hijra from India, but of course with a different religious background.

Interesting there a split between different social classes. Have those in the high society side started using hormones or plastic surgery to feminize themselves yet?

[buttafly]

(tsadmirer @ Aug. 01 2007,16:50) The other side is rich, open minded and high tech and here comes sissy boys (you can say they are tvs)  in the elite class of this country who are doing the same thing IE offering their body for sex BUT the bigger difference is that they don't charge :-)) These boys are popular among growing gay/bi community of Pakistan.

sounds like me and   Mai - Kee will be making a road trip to Karachi??  

      No offense to you TS admirer as you sound like  a Pakistani, but from what I have seen of  Indian  TS people over the years the talent level is a bit, errrr low. In other words, not-so-beautiful.....  are the Pakistani ladyboys at least decent-looking? I would guess that about 1 in 10 Indians look good enough to take home.

        could another misguided albeit well-intentioned road trip a la Chaing Mai be in the works for  Leonardo??

[allstar88]

i watched the t.v. show   the trannies are as ugly as the woman of pakistan

[Guest]

Rx, actually, they are not of a different religion. The Hijra of India follow both Hindu and Muslim practices and admire deities from both sides. Correct me if I'm wrong TSAdmirer, but I believe there is no difference in the Hijra of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The whole concept began before there were 3 countries, and Rx, India is not only Hindu!

The good treatment by the Moguls, the gurus, castration, begging, a fertility power used at weddings and the birth of males, prostitution, are all the same.

[sammy555]

(allstar88 @ Aug. 01 2007,22:30) i watched the t.v. show   the trannies are as ugly as the woman of pakistan

I think Id have to agree 100% with you there! The ones theyshowed on the programme werent the best of lookers thats for sure. I guess maybe it was just potluck though?

[buttafly]

no, pretty sure they are all like that!

and I never even watched the show, don't live in the , I like The Sun

[stogie bear]

(buttafly @ Aug. 03 2007,02:25) and I never even watched the show, don't live in the UK. I like The Sun...

Oh and which sunny spot do you live in then?      

[buttafly]

today, 94 and sunny at my pool

thank heavens for wireless....but I need some shade now, too MUCH sun!

[allstar88]

(buttafly @ Aug. 03 2007,03:25)

no, pretty sure they are all like that!

and I never even watched the show, don't live in the   , I like  The Sun

im more of a mirror man myself