What differentiates a hijra from a run-of-the mill tranny?
We are more like God’s gift. The problem is we are born the wrong gender. Hijras have thousands of years’ history in India. And we have responsibilities. People pay us a lot of rupees to perform weddings and births because they think we are good luck. But most days, we make money by approaching shopkeepers or the general public and saying things like, “Hello, darling, sweetie, namaste my dear, give me some money.” Then we touch them and say rude things until they are a little embarrassed and give us cash. In return, we take away the evil eye. If they don’t give us trouble, we don’t give them any. Define “trouble.” If they refuse to pay us any money, we will pull our saris up and show ourselves to them. They usually give us money so we stop making a scene. Then again, some men believe it is good luck to see our nakedness, so they ask us politely and give us money and we do it. Sometimes they kiss us and touch our breasts too, but in an affectionate way. Are some people afraid of hijras?
