There is a place where girls and women are more highly valued, than boys or men. Now, isn't that a twist?
Even though, the United States is miles apart from this land we are very similar in ways of our thoughts and culture. However, there's a vast difference in our process of thinking.
In Juchitan Mexico with an estimated population around 67,000, much smaller than most of the cities. A boy isn't necessarily looked upon with demeaning qualities if he is what the United States would call 'gay' or a 'cross-dresser.
Muxes means gay men but translates culturally as a third gender. A muxe has one major dissimilarity to the the gay male in the United States. They're raised to forsake their masculinity and encouraged to embrace the femininity of a woman, a girl. Playing with dolls and dressing as girls is orchestrated by their mothers. Two reasons why, one is to increase future economic growth for their family.
A family which has a muxe is considered one of the elite. They earn higher wages. Mostly by designing dresses gowns and blouses. Their creative talents are sought out for the towns many parades and festivals. Several times per week Juchitan holds one of these events. Secondly, seeing as the muxes income far exceeds that of the father and his sisters the mother grooms her son in order to have herself provided for through out life. He's to remain in her household.
Muxes very seldom have intimate relations with men, even though they're dressing and living life as women. A rites of passage ceremony happens at a certain age. Whereby it's confirmed an announced to the community by taking on a woman's name. This event is a marked celebration by a huge gathering of people of all ages. A 'coming-out' party, so-to-speak.
Many of Juchitan's people believe being a muxe is biological, while others feel it's due to their environment. Sort of like the United States argument at hand. Their belief it's environmental stems from the fact, that mothers are wanting a muxe so it is nurtured and cultivated by them. What can you expect they say, when a young impressionable boy grows up dressing as a girl? The opposing view, feels it must be predetermined and genetic why else would the boy child take to this? Plus, continue this path as a grown man.
It may or may not matter, what the reason being is for some here in the United States. Alot of argument could be brought forth on this subject. One thing is for sure we LGBT people aren't embraced nor given a celebration or party by the heterosexual world, which includes family friends or society when we decide to live our lives, being that which we are. Coming Out, normally means heartache and loss.
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