Secret lives and gender fluidity of people living with HIV in Hyderabad, India. Issue 1 (22nd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azhar, Sameena; Vaudrey, Jason; Gandham, Sabitha; Burr, Sean; Oruganti, Ganesh; Yeldandi, Vijay
• Is Part Of: Journal of community psychology. Volume 50:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2021-03-22
• Subjects: gender nonconformity -- hijra -- HIV -- Hyderabad -- India -- third gender -- transgender; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; 362.2205
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0090-4392

Abstract

Abstract: This mixed‐methods study sought to explore gender fluidity among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Hyderabad, India, almost all of whom did not identify as hijra. Sixteen gender‐nonconforming people living with HIV completed both surveys and in‐depth interviews, exploring their experiences with HIV and gender nonconformity stigma. Interviews were conducted in Hindi and Telugu, digitally audio‐recorded, then subsequently translated and analyzed in English, using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Our study highlighted three categories of gender expression: (1) "We have to maintain secrecy about our hijra life": Living secret lives; (2) "What happens if my neighbor sees me here?": Contextual disclosure; (3) "Twenty‐four hours a day I will wear a sari": Being fully out. Analysis revealed that many gender‐nonconforming people reported identifying with two distinct gender identities: one in the daylight, where they identified as men and fulfilled a role of husband and father with their family, and another at night where they identified otherwise—as women, as third gender, as kothis, hijra, transgender. Themes reinforce a phenomenological interpretation of gender identity and expression in the south Indian context, which is grounded in practices regarding identity's embodiment in clothing, vocal intonation, makeup, and context.