Why do Transgenders clap the way they do?

Why do Hijaras, the community of transgenders in India, clap the way they do?

As a kid, I was really ignorant & homophobic but as someone with a trans friend now, I've been trying to educate & sensitize myself on these topics.

Turns out, the "taal" is a mark of identity in their circle - so that they can recognize one of their own even if the person isn't cross-dressing.

It's not a bad omen at all & they use it both as a happy & negative gesture in their circles!

Since the clap is hard on the palms, the loud noise it makes is also a sign of affirmation that says "I am who I am" & a sign of protest or dissent with society's norms & biases.

Turns out, there's a difference between many terms we don't consider, too. For example:

1. Transgenders are people who identify differently than the sex they were assigned at birth

2. Transvestites are folks who cross-dress occasionally but may not identify differently

3. Eunech are males who were castrated at birth and it's therefore also considered a triggering or derogatory term

4. And SRS is sex reassignment surgery, a process which is still very painful & needs reform in India.

It's never too late to start being respectful to everyone so I'm glad I'm taking steps to become more culturally sensitive.

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