Around the world, ________.

A) societies usually recognize only two sexes
B) societies mostly believe in the binary categories of gay and straight
C) attempts to create third-sex categories lead to persecution of those who would be members of the category
D) many societies have a third-sex category

Many societies around the world have a third-sex category, such as hijras in India, fa'afafine in Polynesia, and two-spirit people in some Native American cultures. These individuals are recognized as having a gender identity that does not fit into the traditional binary of male or female. While there is often discrimination and stigma associated with being a third-sex individual, it is not necessarily always the case that attempts to create such categories lead to persecution. Additionally, while societies may have binary perceptions of sexual orientation (i.e. gay or straight), this is separate from the concept of gender identity and the existence of third-sex categories.