| Sense and Sensuality - Two-Spirit: Alternative Sexuality in Native Culture - Fall 08 |
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| Written by Sarah Stefanson | |||||||
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Why did Native people in alternative sexual roles feel they had to create a new term to describe themselves? The term two-spirit (or two-spirited) was first used in 1990 at the third Native American/First Nations gay and lesbian conference in Winnipeg. The conference attendees sought to create a title for themselves that would differentiate them from non-Native gays and lesbians. At the time, the AIDS epidemic was in full swing and many Native gay men infected with HIV were returning to their homes to spend their last years with their families. Unfortunately, they found they were not welcome, because their families thought of their disease as a "white gay man's disease" and they also thought that being gay was not a part of their culture. Using the term two-spirit allowed these individuals to focus on the spiritual side of their sexuality and avoid some of the negative effects of the stigma attached to homosexuality within their culture. Anthropologists once used the term "berdache" to describe Native Americans in special gender roles, such as transvestites, homosexuals, hermaphrodites, and transgender individuals. These individuals were once viewed positively in Native cultures, but the word is now thought to be offensive and derogatory, since over the years it has been translated as "passive homosexual partner," "kept boy," "male prostitute," or "a boy kept for unnatural purposes." Because of the negative associations of the word, it is now used only in a historical context. Before contact with European cultures, Native people believed that there were three genders: male, female, and male-female, or what is now referred to as two-spirit. The two-spirit individual was respected and even revered among their tribe, since it was thought that the Creator had given them the gift of carrying two spirits in one body. Being able to share their unique view of the world allowed them to occupy important positions in society, such as teacher, mediator, seer, spiritual guide, healer and artist. Two-spirits would commonly wear both male and female clothing and perform the duties of both sexes. They would go to war and participate in sweat lodges, while also being responsible for cooking and domestic tasks. The sex lives of two-spirits were not clearly defined. Two-spirits may have sexual encounters with either women or men, although most female-bodied two-spirits maintained relationships with females only. Partners of two-spirits did not consider themselves homosexual or heterosexual, but some thought that having sex with a two-spirit would give them magical powers or increased abilities. When European settlers arrived on North American shores they began to impose their beliefs and values on the Native population. The influence of missionary churches effectively drove the practice of two-spirit sexuality underground and all but eliminated the presence of two-spirits in many tribes. The modern two-spirit individual is a person of Native origin who is either gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or in some other alternative sexual role. Two-spirits often develop knowledge in the areas of ritual, ceremonial and cultural customs, as well as learning skills in craft making, teaching and childcare. Although Native culture is still rather intolerant of homosexuality, especially feminine males, the two-spirit role is starting to take hold once more. There are now two-spirit groups, societies and meetings all over North America providing a community where Native people of alternative sexualities can feel accepted. Young two-spirits often leave their home communities because their sexuality is not accepted by their traditional families, only to end up in urban centres where they are discriminated against not only for their sexual preferences, but also for their race. Some experts believe that these young, two-spirit individuals are more susceptible to substance abuse problems and suicide attempts, so having access to a supportive group of like-minded people becomes very important. Two-spirit is not yet a well-known term in most circles, but the title is providing a positive identity for many people who would otherwise be confused and conflicted about their sexuality. While many names are being hurled at them as insults, the sexually alternative Native culture has chosen a label that they can confidently and proudly apply to themselves and their lifestyle. Comments (0)
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