Bissu, Calalai and Calabai

February 14, 2018

February is LGBT History Month and the LGBT Staff Network are using the month to share an insight into the geography of LGBT history looking at the gender diversity through time and cultures.

Today we highlight: Bissu, Calalai and Calabai:

The Bugi people of southern Sulawesi in Indonesia recognise three sexes (male, female and intersex) and five genders: men, women, bissu, calabai and calalai. Bissu are considered a “transcendent gender”, either encompassing all genders or none at all. The Bissu serve ritual roles in Bugi culture and are sometimes equated with priests.

Calalai are people assigned female at birth who gender identify as men.

Calabai are people assigned male at birth who gender identify as women.

#LGBTHistory – Claiming our past, celebrating our present and creating our future.