Khanith

Khanith or Khaneeth (Arabic: خنيث‎, variant transcription Xanith) is a vernacular Arabic term for both standard written Arabic mukhannath and khuntha. The Arabic word Mukhannath مخنث (literally "effeminate") refers to individuals with an effeminate nature. John Money summarizes material presented by U. Wikan in an article titled Man becomes woman: Transsexualism in Oman as a key to gender roles. According to this account, the Mukhannath is the "bottom" in a male same-sex relationship.[1]

Because of this, Khanith considered men by Omani standards and are often considered an "alternative gender role"[2] – and sometimes considered as being transgender or transvestites[3] – even though the Khanith are still referred to by masculine names and receive all the legal treatment that an Omani male can get.[2] Because of this confusion in terminology, many people refer to the Khanith as Khanith alone.[3]

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ Man (N.S.) 12:304-319, 1977.
    2. 1 2 Nanda, Serena (1990). Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of India. Wadsworth Publishing. pp. 130–131.
    3. 1 2 Wikan, Unni (16 January 2015). Resonance: Beyond the Words. University of Chicago Press. p. 173. ISBN 9780226924489.

    Bibliography

    See also

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