Dickless Wonders

INTERVIEW AND PHOTO BY SARAH HARRIS

Rubina (left) and an unidentified friend.

India’s proud community of boys who would rather be girls has officially breached the half-million mark, and we wish we could hug every one of these crazy, lovable, mixed-up bastards. They’re a ubiquitous breed known as

, or “impotent ones,” with a thousand-plus-year tradition of bringing good luck. However, in these cynical times in which we live, the concept of luck is about as easy to believe in as the concept of leprechauns, and so the

have just become endearingly empowered street hustlers.

Vice recently caught up with Rubina, a 35-year-old from Mysore (ha ha ha, a town called “my sore”—only in India, folks!), who kindly invited us back to her place to discuss her transformation. It cost 1,000 rupees (about $20) for her time, and it was money gladly paid.

Vice: Rubina is a lovely name.

Rubina:

And when did you actually claim your place among the impotent ones?

hijra

And this guru also surgically removed your penis. Is that legal for him to do?

Gorgeous! How did your parents react?

hijra

What differentiates a hijra from a run-of-the mill tranny?

Hijras

namaste

Define “trouble.”

Are some people afraid of hijras?

hijra