Two-spirit

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SF Pride 2014 - Stierch 3

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Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits, San Francisco Pride 2013

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Catlin - Dance to the berdache

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SF Pride 2014 - Stierch 2

Two-spirit is a modern, pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some Indigenous peoples of the Americas to describe Native people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender (or other gender-variant) ceremonial and social role in their cultures. The term was adopted in 1990 at an Indigenous lesbian and gay international gathering to encourage the replacement of the outdated and considered offensive term "berdache," which was used by French settlers to describe Indigenous North Americans who did not fit into European gender norms.

History and Development

The concept of two-spirit is rooted in the existence of gender-variant roles among many Native American and First Nations peoples throughout history. However, the specific roles and status of two-spirit individuals varied widely among tribes. In some tribes, two-spirit people were highly respected and often assumed roles such as healers, shamans, and warriors. They were also frequently involved in ceremonial activities and served as mediators or emissaries because they were believed to possess the ability to understand both male and female perspectives.

The introduction of European religious and social norms significantly impacted the acceptance of two-spirit individuals, leading to a decline in their acceptance and status within many Indigenous communities. The term "two-spirit" itself was created to reconnect Indigenous peoples with their cultural traditions and to distance themselves from non-Native terminologies and concepts.

Cultural Significance

The significance of the two-spirit role varies greatly among the different Indigenous cultures. In some cultures, being two-spirit is associated with possessing special spiritual and ceremonial roles. For example, in the Navajo culture, the nádleehi, a type of two-spirit individual, is recognized and respected for embodying both masculine and feminine qualities and roles.

Two-spirit people are seen as integral to the balance and harmony within their communities, and their roles are often defined by the specific cultural and spiritual traditions of their people. The recognition and respect for two-spirit individuals can serve as a critical indicator of the health and harmony within a community.

Contemporary Issues

Today, two-spirit people face a variety of challenges, including discrimination, misunderstanding, and marginalization both within and outside of Indigenous communities. The resurgence of interest in and respect for two-spirit people is part of a broader movement among Indigenous peoples to reclaim their cultural heritage and traditions. This includes efforts to address the impacts of colonialism, such as the loss of language and cultural practices, and to combat the ongoing issues of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ and two-spirit individuals.

See Also

• Gender identity
• Indigenous peoples of the Americas
• LGBTQ+
• Third gender