Meti (gender)

Meti is a term used, in the country of Nepal, referring to a feminine displaying and masculine bodied individual.[1] Metis are a part of a larger group of queer individuals in Nepal referred to as anya.[2]

Metis are an officially recognized third gender in the country of Nepal as of a Supreme Court ruling in 2007. As of this Supreme Court ruling, metis are able to be officially recognized by the Nepalese government – able to have a government-issued ID card listing “both” as an option under “gender”.[3][4] This also set a precedent of using self-determination as a source of proof in determining a person eligibility in establishing a gender on government documents.

Discrimination

Discrimination is a common issue among self-identified meti individuals. In the country of Nepal ‘unnatural sex’ is still illegal despite the more progressive inclusion of a third-gender on registration forms in Nepal (check this).[5] In 2004, 39 meti individuals were arrested and detained for ‘spreading perversion’ and furthermore were unable to receive due process, as a result of the lack of LGBT support among Nepalese laws. Although a potential amelioration to the situation could be acquired by pushing for education and informing of the citizens of Nepal.[5]

Meti are commonly associated with the Blue Diamond Society of Nepal.[6] The society is a LGBT rights association devoted to crusading for the rights of marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals.

HIV

The HIV epidemic prevalent in Nepal is especially concentrated among the meti community.[7] This can be attributed to the unique struggle that Meti face finding employment and acceptance in society. Many meti are pushed into the[3] sex-industry working as prostitutes and are unwelcome in any other roles in society.[2] As with issues of discrimination, the key to starting to solve the HIV epidemic among meti is making knowledge readily available and educating about safe-sex methods.[6]

References
  1. Knight, Michael Bochenek, Kyle. "Establishing a Third Gender Category in Nepal: Process and Prognosis | Emory University School of Law | Atlanta, GA". Emory University School of Law. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  2. Cantera, Angel L. Martinez. "Nepal's 'third gender'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  3. "Decision of the Supreme Court on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex (LGBTI) People" (PDF). Gay Law Net.
  4. "Citizenship Trangendered ID Issued for Nepali Meti". www.ukgaynews.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  5. Anonymous (2004-08-12). "Nepal: IGLHRC Condemns Violence and Arbitrary Arrests". OutRight. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  6. "The WE News Archives: Transsexuality in Nepal". kewe.info. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  7. Wilson, Erin; Pant, Sunil Babu; Comfort, Megan; Ekstrand, Maria (2016-10-07). "Stigma and HIV risk among Metis in Nepal". Culture, Health & Sexuality. 13 (3): 253–266. doi:10.1080/13691058.2010.524247. ISSN 1369-1058. PMC 3030668. PMID 21058085.
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