NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN
a history of rich culture, powerful leaders,
and misconceptions
TWO-SPIRIT
In Native American communities, the term "two-spirit" refers most frequently to a person who identifies as a third gender, outside of the male and female gender binaries. This person may see themselves as bigender (a combination of both male and female genders), or a different gender entirely. Additionally, Two-Spirit also is a blanket term for native queer people, including gay, bisexual, etc. Native Americans.
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The phrase, two-spirit, was coined as a result of spiritual beliefs and traditions pre-colonization. Androgynous and transgender people were seen as 'doubly blessed' by the spirit world, and were often believed to have both a man's and woman's spirit. Because of their strong spiritual connections, Two-Spirits were often revered as religious leaders and teachers; a sharp contrast to European stigmas and strong enforcement of heterosexual and binary identities.
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However, after European assimilation and evangelism, two-spirits were often forced to conform to Old World societal norms. To Europeans, two-spirits' exploration of gender and sexuality was 'perverted and sodomitic'. As a result of
“I’m either indigenous, or I’m queer,” said Etcitty. “Non-indigenous people tell me they didn’t think Natives still existed, much less could be gay. But it really shouldn’t be that complicated.”
-- Devin Etcitty; a Navajo Two-Spirit
European and, later, American extermination of Native American culture, through exploitation of land, resources, and enforcement of Christian beliefs, the idea of two-spirit people was almost completely smothered.
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However, the 20th and 21st centuries' civil rights movements and fights for equality have initiated a reemergence of the two-spirit tradition. Today, two-spirit natives are joining on online forums, in their communities, and in conferences throughout the United States to discuss and express their spiritual and personal identity. Although still largely forgotten and ostracized, even by the LGBT community, two-spirits are recreating their beliefs, after decades of religious assimilation. Native American two-spirits are, once again, finding their voice and freedom.