A variety of patterns concerning gender and sexuality exist across the world. Each nation has its own history of gender equality, tolerance to sexuality and gender, and marriage patterns.
Gender is a range of characteristics pertaining to masculinity and femininity, with some identifying with both or neither. All nations have a traditional idea of gender roles. Women have faced discrimination in some nations, though others have a history of gender equality, or have made great progress toward gender equality since the Hundred Year War.[1] Some people do not identify with some, or all aspects of the gender they were assigned at birth, and some of those people identify as transgender or non-binary.[2]
Sexual orientation is a pattern of interest in the opposite or same sex, generally considered to be heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality.[3] Many non-heterosexual and non-cisgender people identify as queer, or with more specific terms such as gay, lesbian, and bisexual.[4][5][6][7]
Air Nomads[]
Gender identity[]
While the temples were traditionally segregated by gender, the Air Nomads were accepting of transgender and non-binary people. Bo was a non-binary youth from the Southern Air Temple, even though the temple was traditionally associated with male monks.[8] There are also non-binary members of the new Air Nation who gained airbending after Harmonic Convergence, such as Enuk and Rinzen.[9][10]
Sexual orientation[]
The Air Nomads embraced and accepted everyone, and were unafraid to publicly display their love toward others.
In the air temples, the Air Nomads did not hide whom they loved. They were accepting of differences and embraced everyone, regardless of their gender and their sexual orientation.[11] Before the genocide, Air Nomad philosophies meant children were raised by the community rather than a dual-parent home, although Air Nomads were aware of their relatives and sometimes had close relationships with them. Two Air Nomads of the same gender could also be considered parents of the same child.[8] The communities welcomed people from all walks of life.[1] The new Air Nation also accepts anyone, no matter their orientation, and Avatar Aang was very supportive of his queer daughter, Kya.[11]
Water Tribes[]
Gender equality[]
Water Tribe society differs between the Northern Water Tribe, the Southern Water Tribe, and the Foggy Swamp Tribe. The Northern Water Tribe has historically been one of the most patriarchal societies in the world, with tradition dictating that female waterbenders were only allowed to hone their abilities in the healing arts, regarded as an incredibly important field of study by its practitioners.[12][13] Not all women from the North felt that this system was treating them unfairly; for instance, Atuat even argued that the rules were empowering her, as the ability to heal was far more valuable and required more skill than combat waterbending, as "any idiot can punch someone with water".[14] Such a view required, however, that the women in question were actually skilled in healing and took pride in their work. The system was far harder to accept for individuals like Chukagnak or Kallika who proved poor at healing.[15][16] As a last resort to escape their community's restrictions, dissatisfied northern women often went into exile.[12][15][16]
Meanwhile, the South has long accepted female warriors and waterbenders in combat,[17][18] and female leaders in chieftain positions,[19] though traditional gender roles and sexist attitudes still exist.[20][21][22] Historically, some women from the North migrated to live with the Southern Water Tribe in order to escape the restrictions of their birth place.[12] Fifth Nation leader Tagaka, a pirate queen of Southern ancestry, deeply disdained gender-based chauvinism and even murdered a Northern Water Tribe man who had belittled her due to her gender.[23]
Despite its reputation, the Northern Water Tribe's attitude toward gender equality has ebbed throughout its history. Prior to the Hundred Year War, the Northern tribes were less culturally homogenous, with some tribes in the North accepting and training female waterbenders in combat. However, as a result of the tribes having to reside in Agna Qel'a for decades during their century-long conflict with the Fire Nation, these norms eventually gave way to the predominant rules on gender held by the broader tribe.[24] Such taboos became more relaxed following the end of the war,[1] as the Northern waterbending master Pakku began training female Southern waterbenders after accepting Katara as a student, while during Chief Unalaq's rule, he entrusted his daughter Eska with numerous missions befitting her prodigious skill in combat.[25][26][27]
Finally, the Foggy Swamp Tribe seems to practice general gender equality, with waterbending men and women fighting side-by-side in the Hundred Year War.[18]
Gender identity[]
Due to the rigid standards for gender found in the Northern and Southern tribes, there have been instances of transgender and non-binary individuals being shunned by their communities, in spite of their achieving prominent positions and status. During the era of Avatar Roku, the Southern chief Qanitt used diplomacy and connections to work toward the prosperity of both tribes, while in the North, despite being rejected by her family and community over her identity, Makittuq used her expertise in spiritual matters to defend the tribe from angered dark spirits.[28]
Marriage customs[]
Princess Yue was given a betrothal necklace by her fiancé, Hahn.
In both the North and South, women signify their engagement to someone else by wearing betrothal necklaces that are handcrafted by their fiancés. Convention in both tribes holds that the male partner is supposed to present the jewelry to their significant other, though there are exceptions to the norm, such as when Eska forcibly gave Bolin a betrothal necklace.[29] An even rarer example would be Akuudan and Tayagum's union around Avatar Yangchen's era, with both men exchanging armbands with embedded stone amulets, in the style of a typical betrothal necklace.[30]
In the North, marriages for women are predominantly arranged by their families after they turn sixteen, while in the South, women have much more freedom to court at their discretion.[31][11] For some of these pre-determined unions, the lack of self-agency and pressure of living up to societal traditions was a heavy burden, as Princess Yue refused Sokka's companionship for fear of disrupting her impending political marriage to Hahn.[32] Following the Water Tribe Civil War, many young Northerners began to question the established wisdom of allowing their parents to determine who they were in relationships with, believing that in the modern era, they should be free to choose who they love, regardless of their significant other's gender identity.[6]
Sexual orientation[]
The Water Tribes are generally accepting of different sexual orientations, and it is atypical for families to disown children for coming out. However, it is Water Tribe tradition to keep personal matters private, and Water Tribe culture encourages people to keep their sexuality to themselves.[11][1] The Southern Water Tribe appears to have a much longer history of same-sex marriage than the North, with the Southerner Akuudan married to Tayagum during the era of Yangchen.[30] In the North, Chiefs Desna and Eska decreed that gender plays no role in who can and cannot marry each other, and attended many same-sex weddings, even after they received pushback about the decree. Their cousin, Avatar Korra, being out about her relationship with Asami Sato also inspired many queer Water Tribe members to come out.[6] Unfortunately, there was still backlash to Desna and Eska's reforms, with mover star Akar receiving death threats after he came out as gay and planned to hold a lavish wedding in the North with his long-term boyfriend Jieren.[7] Desna and Eska often responded to pushback by personally attending many same-sex weddings to show their support.[6]
Earth Kingdom[]
Gender equality[]
Earth Kingdom culture traditionally has patriarchal aspects. Women are expected to adhere to a standard of femininity.[33] Historically, it was rare to see women serving in the military of the Earth Kingdom, although Katara and Jiang believably disguised themselves as Earth Kingdom collaborators.[34] Toph Beifong was often belittled for her gender, as well as her age and her disability.[35]
Kyoshi established the Kyoshi Warriors so that the women of Yokoya Peninsula could defend themselves.
Harassment of women was common on the Yokoya Peninsula, until Avatar Kyoshi taught a group of women how to defend themselves, who became the Kyoshi Warriors.[36] The all-female group of warriors on Kyoshi Island thus became an exception to the long-lasting rarity of women soldiers in the Earth Kingdom.[21]
Omashu and the Earth Kingdom as a whole has had women ascend to the throne as queens, and there have also been several prominent female Earth Sages.[37][38][39] Women have also historically had economic freedom as prominent businesspeople across many parts of the Earth Kingdom,[40][41][42][43] as well as being accepted in professions such as governors, mayors, village captains or in local police forces.[44][45][38][46]
Gender equality improved after the Hundred Year War, with the notion of the post-war "modern world". Zaofu, a city founded decades after the Hundred Year War by Suyin Beifong, has many women in prominent positions.[47] After the anarchy in the Earth Kingdom, Kuvira's own modernization efforts of the Earth Kingdom saw many more women serving in her army, and later in the military of the Earth Empire.[48][49][nb 1]
Gender identity[]
Some transgender and non-binary people have found acceptance in the Earth Kingdom, such as Xiao, a powerful martial artist raised by a loving group of pacifist monks,[53] as well as Yuxuan, a skilled young technologist who wanted to earn money to help the sauna run by the man who adopted them.[54]
Marriage customs[]
Polygamy has been a known practice by some male Earth Monarchs.[55]
Sexual orientation[]
For the most part, the Earth Kingdom has been slow in accepting people who are not heterosexual, even going as far as being militaristically repressive. Even Avatar Kyoshi, who openly loved both men and women, was unable to effect any kind of real progress.[11]
Some communities within the country, such as Maizu Village, were more tolerant, with same-sex marriage made legal there by 99 AG.[56] Boat Bottom in the western territory of Fire Nation occupation was home to two women who were married, and were the respected owners of the town's most famous restaurant.[57] Those from Kyoshi Island are also confident in expressing same-sex relationships,[58][59] and Korra and Asami felt free to express themselves as a couple in Gaoling.[60] At least some Si Wong tribes have practiced same-sex marriage for centuries.[61]
Daofei groups often did not have an issue with members in same-sex relationships, and Kirima explained that she did not have a problem with Kyoshi's relationship with Rangi, unlike some people in the Earth Kingdom.[58] This extended to other petty gangs, such as Hua, second-in-command of the Paper Lantern Gang, who was dating Rose.[62]
Fire Nation[]
Gender equality[]
The Fire Nation has a long tradition of gender equality, with women often serving in powerful positions, including as Fire Lord in the case of Izumi.
Historically, the Fire Nation has been the most progressive nation in regards to gender equality until the worldwide industrial revolution following the Hundred Year War. Women have full access to higher education and are equal before the law, and have been appointed mayors, magistrates, and royal ministers since before Avatar Kyoshi's time.[63][64] In some periods of Fire Nation history, Crown Princesses or female Fire Lords were not uncommon, and historical sagas about Fire Princesses just as powerful and feared are well known.[65] Conversely, no women rose to become Fire Lord and girls were regarded as disadvantaged in succession disputes during other periods, including the era of Roku.[66][67]
Women have also served in the Fire Nation's military and clan militias for much of its history.[68] At some point before 99 AG, however, women became a small minority in the army and navy. Instead, they mostly served in the Domestic Forces, protecting the homeland.[69] Nevertheless, there were exceptions to this tradition, as women served in special front units such as the Yuyan Archers.[70] Some women also served in the colonies or on the frontlines during the Hundred Year War, and a few of these rose to offices as high as general[71] or admiral.[72] Any restrictions appear to have been lifted after the Hundred Year War's end,[73] as women once again became common in the military, including the newly organized Fire Nation Air Force.[74]
Gender identity[]
During the intolerant regime of Fire Lord Sozin and his successors during the Hundred Year War, an underground community still persevered in the Fire Nation, such as Sunlin, an idealistic orphan who was involved in a plan to find a scroll from the Dragonbone Catacombs.[75] After the end of the war, the Fire Nation became a tolerant place for transgender and non-binary people. One prominent non-binary figure in the Fire Nation was Dalja Ro, who was supported by their classmates at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls after Dalja realized that they didn't truly feel like a girl. They became an admiral in the Fire Navy, and the eventual leader of the Fire Nation Relief Fleet.[73] However, hostile attitudes toward non-binary people peristed in some Fire Nation circles.[76]
Marriage customs[]
Arranged marriages for political reasons have not been unusual for the royalty, as the Consort to the Fire Lord was historically very important and thus a coveted position.[77][78] Despite this, love marriages have always been normal for most of the population.[77] Even among the nobility, it was traditionally more common to marry for love,[79][80] though exceptions existed.[78]
It is traditionally acceptable for male Fire Lords to have mistresses before marriage. Fathers are expected to acknowledge any children born outside of wedlock to noble mothers, in order to avoid dishonoring her clan. Although illegitimate children may be accepted as part of their family, they may also be placed behind any legitimate siblings in the line of succession.[81]
Sexual orientation[]
A lesbian couple is arrested by Fire Nation security forces during Fire Lord Sozin's reign.
For most of its history, the Fire Nation was tolerant of people with diverse sexual orientations, and same-sex marriage was permitted.[1] However, Sozin made same-gender relationships a criminal offense during his later reign.[11] In spite of these laws, an underground community of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identity still persevered in the Fire Nation during the Hundred Year War.[82][83] Furthermore, due to the greater freedom of expression allowed in select Fire Nation colonies, some inhabitants were legally able to marry their same-sex partners, despite the custom's proscription in the nation's homeland.[57]
United Republic of Nations[]
Gender equality[]
Future Industries recruited female engineers by advertising its commitment to gender equality.
The United Republic has a largely gender-equal society, with women serving in the military and police force,[84][85][86] and having several prominent female politicians, businesspeople, and bureaucrats.[87][88][89] The United Republic's second and incumbent president, Zhu Li Moon, is its first female president.[84]
Sexist attitudes still exist in the United Republic, such as women being belittled.[65][90] Several initiatives exist to recruit women in fields where they are underrepresented, such as in science and engineering.[91][92][93]
Gender identity[]
In general, the United Republic is a welcoming place for transgender and non-binary citizens, such as Rinzen,[10] residents, and visitors. For example, Enuk of the Southern Water Tribe felt comfortable expressing themself as a non-binary person in Republic City.[9] Tolerant attitudes are not universal, however, as some non-binary people in the United Republic have been rejected by their families after coming out.[76]
Sexual orientation[]
People in the United Republic, particularly Republic City, are generally accepting of those in same-gender relationships.[11] Same-sex marriage is legal in the United Republic.[7][94]
Small independent communities and states[]
Jasmine Island[]
Jasmine Island is a small, independent island-state. Its citizens have traditionally practiced an egalitarian and tolerant culture,[95] and this extended to equality of genders and different sexual orientations. For instance, the commander of the island's military during the late Hundred Year War, Akataa, was non-binary.[96]
Lambak Clan[]
The Lambak Clan was an ancient community that maintained its independence for thousands of years on a remote Fire Island. The clan was rather egalitarian, as men and women shared their responsibilities and were treated similarly. By the era of Roku, the majority of the Lambak Clan elite warriors, the so-called "scouts", were women.[97] The Lambak Clan was eventually integrated into the Fire Nation in 66 BG, though granted an autonomous status.[98]
Notes[]
- ↑ Bryan Konietzko wanted even more female Earth Empire officers that appear in Book Four: Balance, but fewer female soldiers made it into the show than had been present in concept art.[50][51] They were however included more prominently in the Ruins of the Empire comics.[52]