GS.10: Deep Dive – Global Gender Diversity

Approximate reading time: 1 minute

Anthropologist Sharyn Graham Davies notes that similar systems exist in Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Bangladesh, illustrating the widespread recognition of gender diversity (Ibrahim, 2019). There are many more examples of gender-expansive societies around the world that view gender beyond the binary system of only cisgendered females and cisgendered males. For example, there are three or more genders in Mexico (Muxe or Muxhe), Thailand (Kathoey), Samoa (Fa’afafine), Hawaii (Mahu), Siberia (Chuckchi), and Italy (Femminiello). In marked contrast with societies that are male-dominant (patriarchal) and practise male-centred religions, there are past and present societies in countries around the world that acknowledge multiple genders. Traditionally, in these societies, people who have gender-expansive roles are celebrated and honoured for their ability to work and live in gender non-binary spaces and realities.

From looking at the ways in which different cultures around the world understand gender in many ways, we now turn to a specific example from Canada. In August 2017, Canada made it possible for people to choose an “X” instead of “male” or “female” on their passports. This change was made to help people who don’t fit into the traditional categories of male or female, including non-binary, intersex, and transgender Canadians. This step shows Canada’s effort to recognise and respect everyone’s gender identity.