Art

On the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, there is a people called the Bugis, whose culture recognises five genders. These are considered necessary to maintain balance and harmony in the world. It is viewed as natural, and they do not undergo any physical alterations. (Wikipedia)

There is the biologically female body, inhabited by a woman: the woman, called Makkunrai. Or inhabited by a man: the TransMan, called Calalai.

And there is the biologically male body, inhabited by a man: the man, called Oroané. Or inhabited by a woman: the TransWoman, called Calabai.

And there are bodies inhabited in a neutral way – neither female nor male – the non-binary. These are called Bissu.

When I read about this, it moved me deeply and filled me with joy, because there is a culture – perhaps the only one – that sees things the way I do.

There are two biologically distinct bodies: the male and the female. There is the inner being and the outer body. We are not the body; we live within it. The body is like a garment for the being, the soul, the inner self. We inhabit and animate our bodies.

That is why I prefer to say: I am a woman in a male body. Rather than a TransWoman.

To put it another way:

There are two kinds of man. One lives in a male body and the other lives in a female body. Deep down, they are the same. The man and the TransMan.

There are two kinds of woman. One lives in a female body and the other lives in a male body. Deep down, they are the same. The woman and the TransWoman.

And then there are non-binary people. One inhabits a female body and the other inhabits a male body. Deep down, they are the same.

We do not fit into a man/woman framework. Our framework is: man/ TransMan/woman/TransWoman/neutral.

A woman is a real woman. A TransWoman is a real TransWoman. A man is a real man. A TransMan is a real trans man. A non-binary person is a real non-binary person. Everyone is what they are. And it is all equal. And each person is complete in their own right. And everyone should live authentically as exactly who they are and accept themselves for who they are. Nothing needs to be changed.