Liberty Church Blackpool
A small, openly LGBTQ+ inclusive Christian church in North Shore, with Sunday worship, a free Wednesday meal and same-sex weddings.
Third gender and culturally specific identities
Hijra, fa'afafine, muxe and more: third genders around the world, UK law, and faith and culture support.
Third gender describes people who are neither men nor women but another recognised gender. Young Scot's glossary notes that it is used in societies, past and present, that recognise three or more genders. Many cultures have long-standing identities of this kind, each with its own name, history, roles and meaning.
They overlap with Western words like non-binary and transgender, but they are not simply translations. When writing about someone with a culturally specific identity, explain the term in its own context and use the words the person uses.
Some third-gender and culturally specific identities
- Hijra (South Asia): a centuries-old community, often with ritual roles at births and weddings. Bangladesh recognised hijras as a third gender in 2013, and India's Supreme Court recognised a third gender in 2014.
- Fa'afafine (Samoa) and fakaleiti (Tonga): people assigned male at birth who live in a feminine gender role, widely accepted in family and community life.
- Māhū (Hawai'i and Tahiti): a traditional third-gender role with cultural and spiritual responsibilities.
- Muxe (Zapotec communities of Oaxaca, Mexico): people assigned male at birth who take on feminine roles, celebrated in an annual festival.
- Kathoey (Thailand): a widely used term covering trans women and feminine gay men, now with its own debates over language.
- Two-Spirit (Indigenous North America): see Two-Spirit.
These descriptions are brief and simplified; each identity is lived differently by different people.
Third gender and UK law
The UK recognises only two legal genders. In 2021 the UK Supreme Court ruled, in R (Elan-Cane) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, that the government's refusal to issue "X" passports was lawful. People whose gender is recognised in another country may find it isn't recorded the same way here. See UK law.
In Blackpool
Blackpool's LGBTQ+ services are open to people of every culture and faith. If your identity sits within your culture or faith, you don't have to choose between them.
Lancashire LGBT
The county's LGBTQ+ charity, offering counselling, one-to-one support, gender outreach and social activities, including services in Blackpool.
Gender Outreach drop-in, Blackpool
A free monthly lunchtime drop-in at Blackpool Central Library for people on, waiting for or considering the gender identity clinic pathway.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A free national listening and information line, by phone, chat and email, staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers.
See faith and LGBTQ+ life in Blackpool.
Culture and faith support in the UK
National groups for LGBTQ+ people from particular cultures and faiths include:
- Naz and Matt Foundation: support for LGBTQI+ people from religious or culturally conservative backgrounds, and their families.
- Imaan and Hidayah: support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ Muslims. Queer Muslims Manchester is the nearest social group.
- Sarbat and the Queer Sikh Network: LGBTQ+ Sikhs.
- GALVA-108: LGBTI Hindus and Vaishnavas.
- House of Rainbow: LGBTIQ+ people of colour who are also people of faith.
- KeshetUK: Jewish LGBT+ education and support.
More
Sources
Trans and gender identity: more pages
TransgenderPeer groups, the gender outreach drop-in, the Phoenix Clinic, trans-friendly stays, history and UK law.Trans menLancashire Lads, trans-masc support online, the Phoenix Clinic, welcoming venues and history.Trans womenTransInclusion and Renaissance, the Phoenix Clinic, trans-friendly stays and nights out.Non-binaryWhat non-binary means, local groups and clinics, unisex spaces and your rights in the UK.Gender-fluidWhat gender-fluid means, practical tips, groups that welcome you and your rights.AgenderWhat agender means, how it differs from asexual, and the groups and spaces open to you.BigenderWhat bigender means, how it differs from gender-fluid and bisexual, and who welcomes you.AndrogynousAndrogyny as identity and as style, Blackpool's gender-bending stage history, and welcoming places.Gender-nonconformingWhat gender-nonconforming means, how it differs from trans, practical tips and support.Two-SpiritWhat Two-Spirit means, where it comes from, and the Canadian MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ term.Every identityThe full list, the long acronyms and UK law.