Hermaphrodite(common gender) and their status in our society and religion

 Hermaphrodite and their status in our society and religion

There are many burning issues in this world. Such as Rohingya issue, Terrorism, Islamic State(IS) Issue, Fundamentalism, Communalism, Common Gender Issue, War Criminal Issue, Freedom Issue and so no. Every issue is important. We should find the ultimate solutions of them. Otherwise we can no longer exist in this world. Common Gender issue is one of the most important of them. All over the world we can find hermaphrodite (common gender).

The word Hermaphrodite originally comes from Hermes, Greek messenger God, and Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love. Hermaphrodite was actually the child of Hermes and Aphrodite, and was both male and female. Now, the word Hermaphrodite is used metaphorically. It means a person who has both sets of sex organs, but not necessarily having the ability to reproduce.
 

Development of Genitalia According to Sex:

Although the gender is determined at the phase of fertilization, embryo is still ambiguous in the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. Development process of genitalia begins with 8th week (fetal period). If genetic sex is male -46XY-, testosterone is secreted in gonads(egg) and this hormone helps internal and external genitalia to develop as male (testicle, epididymis, vas deferens, Seminal vesicle, prostate, penis and scrotum). If genetic sex is female -46XX-, testosterone is not secreted and feminine development occurs (ovaries, uterus, tuba uterine, vagina, clitoris, labia major). Estrogen secreted from ovaries contributes to feminine development. Any defect during this process in the womb (deficient or excessive hormone

production or male’s exposure to estrogen/female’s exposure to testosterone etc.) may cause to sex development disorders. There may be a female whose genitals look like those of male and vice versa.   

  Types of Hermaphrodite:       

  They are born with both male and female sexual organs or properties of both organs, are called hermaphrodites or intersex. A child who is in an intersexual state is classified in one of three categories: (1) true hermaphrodite – an infant born with both ovaries and testicles and has both male and female sex organs. (2) female pseudo-hermaphrodite – a genetic female with male external sex organs. 3) male pseudo-hermaphrodite – a genetic male with external sex organs that fail to develop properly, resulting in female or male/female physical characteristics. 

  According to the Bible:

 It is very possible for a child born with both sex organs to grow up to have a healthy view of sexuality and successful relationships. From early on, the child should be taught how valuable, loved and accepted he is by his family and also by God. He or she is not a victim of divine judgment, but God has a plan for each one of us that will bring Him glory, as we can learn from a man who was healed by Jesus Christ:
“'Teacher,' his disciples asked him, 'why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?' 'It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins,' Jesus answered. 'He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him'” (John 9:2-3).   

 Islamicview:         
                                                                                                                                                                  How sex is determined during the fertilization is stated in the following verse of Quran: “It is He Who created the two mates, the male and the female. He (created) them from a zygote when the measure was set.” (An-Najm/53:45-46)

Those who appear to be intersex are actually male or female. But their sexes are not distinguished by looking at their genitals. It is needed to make chromosomal analysis and apply medical tests. If chromosome structure is 46XY then it’s male, if 46XX then it’s female.

Once the sex is distinguished after chromosome analysis, necessary treatments (medication and/or operation) could be administered. However, a committee consisting of experts (urologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, psychologist, etc.) can make the decision.

Majority of the intersexes can be distinguished by chromosome analysis. However, even though very limited, some may have complicated chromosome structure (mosaic or chimera). They do not have pure 46XY (male) or 46XX (female) structure but mixed ones like 45X/46XY or 46XX/46XY. This type of patients may have both testicles and ovaries (ovotestis). It could be a problem to distinguish this group of patients. However, even in this mixed types, it is possible to decide according to chromosomes that form more than 50%. This decision must be done by an expert committee.

As a result, each human is either male or female even if they are born with congenital disorders. Allah says He created human as males and females:

“Human beings, We created you all from a male and a female.” (Al-Hujurat / The Chambers 49:13)

Then, each human created is either male or female. There is no third category. Intersex people can be identified and treated by relevant specialists. Those who changed their sex although they have no such a problem (transsexuals) are in completely different category and not relevant to this subject.

Social status:

 Actually, in Bangladesh, as we can see that they are neglected by the society, and even by their own family. There are about 11,000 hermaphrodites in Bangladesh. They face many problems on every stage of life. Nobody wants to recruit them on services. So they have to get money for their livelihood by begging or forced. In case of illness they don’t get medical services in the government hospitals. Anoary, one of them, said, “In 2013, the govt. recognizes us, why don’t we get the legal aids? We don’t want the recognition only without our rights. We hardly get medical treatment from the govt. hospitals”. -(Bangladeshi Bengali newspaper: Prothom Alo, page no-17, published on 5 oct 2017)

Even they cannot own their parent properties after their parent death. When parent properties are being distributed, brother says, you are not my brother and sisters say, you are not our sister. So they are Deprived of parent’s property. -(ibid)

Nowadays, they are getting training on different works. Such as: block and boutique, tailoring, beauty parlor and so on. They get monthly stipend from the govt. of Bangladesh.

Conclusion:        
                                                                                                                                                                             According to the discussion, I hope that if we recognize them properly and help them to be literate, they can contribute to our society.