⚧️Ancient Gender and Sexuality Unit 7 – Ancient Trans and Non-Binary Identities

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not correspond with their sex assigned at birth
• Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside the binary categories of male and female
  • Includes identities such as genderfluid, agender, bigender, and genderqueer
• Transgender describes individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth
• Cisgender refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth
• Third gender is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify as male or female and are recognized as a distinct gender by their culture
• Two-spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North American communities to describe individuals who fulfill a traditional third-gender or gender-variant ceremonial and social role

Historical Context

• Ancient cultures had diverse understandings of gender that often differed from modern Western binary conceptions
• Many ancient societies recognized the existence of individuals who did not conform to binary gender roles
  • These individuals were often associated with spiritual or religious roles in their communities
• The study of ancient gender and sexuality has been shaped by the biases and assumptions of modern researchers
  • Early scholars often projected contemporary Western gender norms onto ancient cultures
• Colonialism and the spread of Western gender norms have erased or marginalized many traditional understandings of gender diversity
• The reclamation of ancient trans and non-binary identities is an ongoing process that challenges dominant historical narratives

Ancient Cultures and Their Gender Systems

• Ancient Mesopotamian cultures (Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians) recognized a third gender category known as "gala" or "kalû"
  • Gala were associated with temple rituals and were thought to have special spiritual powers
• In ancient Egypt, the god Hapi was depicted as androgynous and was associated with fertility and the annual flooding of the Nile
• The ancient Greek poet Sappho wrote about love and desire between women on the island of Lesbos
• In Mayan culture, a third gender category known as "two-spirit" individuals were recognized and held important roles as shamans and healers
• Ancient Indian texts (Ramayana, Mahabharata) feature characters who change gender or manifest both male and female attributes
  • The god Vishnu takes on the female form of Mohini in several stories

Trans and Non-Binary Identities in Ancient Texts

• The Sumerian creation myth features the androgynous deity Enki, who gives birth to the gods and creates humanity
• The Akkadian Epic of Gilgamesh includes the genderless wild person Enkidu, who becomes Gilgamesh's companion
• The Egyptian Tale of Two Brothers features a character named Bata who magically transforms into a woman
• Ovid's Metamorphoses includes the story of Iphis, who is raised as a boy and later transformed into a man by the goddess Isis
  • Also features the myth of Hermaphroditus, who becomes androgynous after fusing with a nymph
• The Hijra, a third gender category in South Asia, are mentioned in ancient Hindu texts such as the Kama Sutra

Archaeological Evidence

• Figurines and artworks from various ancient cultures depict individuals with ambiguous or mixed gender characteristics
  • The Seated Figurine from Çatalhöyük (Neolithic Anatolia) has both male and female features
  • The Olmec Las Limas figure from Mexico is depicted with both male and female attire
• Burial sites have revealed individuals buried with items typically associated with a different gender
  • A Bronze Age burial in Russia contained a male skeleton with female-associated grave goods
• Some ancient Egyptian tombs feature inscriptions and artwork that suggest the existence of same-sex relationships and gender fluidity
  • The tomb of Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep depicts the two men in intimate poses
• Graffiti and inscriptions in ancient Roman cities (Pompeii, Herculaneum) provide evidence of diverse sexual practices and gender expressions

Societal Roles and Acceptance

• In some ancient cultures, trans and non-binary individuals were associated with spiritual or religious roles
  • Mesopotamian gala priests were believed to have the power to communicate with the gods
  • Two-spirit individuals in Indigenous North American societies often served as healers, shamans, and mediators
• The degree of acceptance and integration of trans and non-binary individuals varied between ancient cultures and time periods
  • In some cases, they were respected and held important social roles
  • In others, they faced marginalization or persecution
• The rise of patriarchal religions and the spread of Western gender norms led to the suppression and erasure of many traditional understandings of gender diversity

Modern Interpretations and Debates

• The study of ancient trans and non-binary identities has been influenced by the evolving understandings of gender and sexuality in modern times
  • Early scholars often interpreted ancient texts and artifacts through a lens of binary gender norms
  • More recent scholarship has sought to understand ancient gender diversity on its own terms
• There are ongoing debates about the appropriate terminology and frameworks for discussing ancient gender identities
  • Some argue for the use of modern terms like "transgender" or "non-binary" to describe ancient individuals
  • Others caution against imposing contemporary categories onto past cultures
• The reclamation of ancient trans and non-binary histories has been an important part of contemporary LGBTQ+ activism and scholarship
  • Challenges dominant narratives that present gender diversity as a modern phenomenon
  • Provides a sense of historical continuity and validation for contemporary trans and non-binary identities

Impact on Contemporary Understanding

• The study of ancient trans and non-binary identities has expanded contemporary understandings of gender diversity
  • Challenges the notion that binary gender norms are universal or natural
  • Highlights the cultural and historical specificity of gender categories and expressions
• Ancient examples of gender diversity have been used to support contemporary trans and non-binary activism and visibility
  • Provides historical precedent and legitimacy for contemporary gender diversity
  • Counters arguments that present trans and non-binary identities as a modern "trend" or "ideology"
• The erasure and marginalization of ancient trans and non-binary histories is seen as part of larger patterns of colonialism and the imposition of Western gender norms
  • Reclaiming these histories is an act of decolonization and resistance
• Studying ancient gender diversity can provide insights into the complex intersections of gender, sexuality, religion, and social roles across cultures and time periods