Gender Pluralism

Gender crossing has a long history in Asia. Since 1450 the Malaysian concept of "pondan" has referred to an adolescent or adult male who dresses like a woman, walks like a woman, or behaves sexually like a woman. Back then, such people were given enormous prestige and often served as sacred mediators between both males and females and humans and nature. However, gradually such people have lost this status in their culture, so much so that the current governments in Asia have sought to stigmatize, criminalize, and ultimately eliminate such gender crossers and any other non-heterosexual behavior. This account provides an understanding of the deep historical traditions of cross-dressing in ancient societies as well as the current political climate towards transvestites and homosexuals in Asia. Peletz focuses on two highly publicized court cases in Malaysia; the first involving a woman posing as a man who married a woman; the second involving a former Deputy Prime Minister who has been in prison since 1998 on allegations of sodomy. Michael Peletz, an authority on Asia and gender, makes a clear case for the influence of Western culture on ancient societies and the increasing use of governmental and religious controls. Peletz draws on the historical record as well as his own ethnographic research in the area.