After all, we share the same blood

What defines a human being? Why do we keep building walls when we can build bridges? Zanele Muholi, a South African activist who uses her art to highlight the beauty of black LGBTIQA+ women, once said that “If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.”

In Nepal, intersex and gender-diverse individuals often experience humiliating names across regions. In the mountains, they are called Fulu fulu, Singaru in the Western hills, and Maugiya or Kothi in the Tarai region. Additionally, terms like Hijada and Chakka seem to be more common, which is beyond inappropriate and hurtful. Why label someone when you can simply honor them as humans? 

From ancient scriptures to modern movements, the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity have deep roots.

LGBTIQA+ in Hindu mythology

Hindu mythology has recognized gender diversity and same-sex love for centuries. For example, Shikhandi, an important character in the Mahabharata, was born a woman but became a man to fulfill a divine purpose and played a key role in the Kurukshetra war. Next, the concept of Ardhanarishvara, a composite form of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizes the unity of masculine and feminine energies, challenging societal gender norms. Similarly, Lord Vishnu’s transformation into Mohini highlights the idea of gender fluidity, including a union with Shiva that birthed Lord Ayyappa. The cultural celebration of such themes is evident in the Koovagam festival in Tamil Nadu, which honors Aravan and is actively embraced by transgender communities.

Greek mythology

One of the tragic love stories of Apollo and Hyacinthus represent prominent figures of same-sex marriage.The god of music and the sun, Apollo is considered the patron of same-sex love. He had many male lovers and was invited to bless homosexual unions. Hyacinthus, the lover of Apollo, was a Spartan youth. Moreover, Plato’s Symposium, a timeless philosophical work resonates deeply with the LGBTIQA+ community and embraces the idea of love and connection beyond gender. The subject of homoeroticism has been discussed where Plato’s characters accept the norms of that time surrounding homosexual love.

Chinese mythology

In Chinese mythology, the Taoist principle of Yin and Yang emphasizes balance and harmony, transcending rigid binaries of gender and sexuality. Taoist practice resolves the “homosexuality & religion” conflict. Taoism teaches: Not every question should have an answer. Moreover, in classical Chinese opera, such as Peking opera, the practice of cross-dressing, where male actors play female roles, is prevalent and can be interpreted as a form of representation for LGBTIQA+ themes. This art instantly promotes Chinese society to legalize same sex marriages.

American mythology

Rainbow Flag, created by Gilbert Baker in 1978, has become a powerful symbol of LGBTIQA+ pride and engulfed into American mythology. Many native American cultures, including the Navajo, Lakota, and Zuni (Native American tribes), have recognized the existence of Two-Spirit individuals, believed to embody both masculine and feminine qualities. Also, although Mulan is a Chinese legend, in the context of American mythology and queer narrative, her story has been reinterpreted as a tale of gender nonconformity and identity fluidity.

African mythology

Esu as a god of communication and trickery in Yoruba mythology, is a figure who often defies gender norms. Esu embodies fluidity, as he can be portrayed in male or female form, challenging traditional understandings of identity and power. He appears in many African American folktales and has been reinterpreted by modern queer theorists to celebrate non-binary identities.

Across cultures, the acceptance of sexual diversity is not new. So, instead of dividing ourselves, why not we become humans and share humanity? After all, don’t we share the same red blood?