TwoSpirit is an umbrella term coined during an Indigenous lesbian and gay international gathering in 1990. In Indigenous tribes, Two Spirit individuals are greatly respected people because they are believed to possess great skill regardless of gender roles. Indigenous cultures hold two-Spirit and androgynous people in high regard. Usually, the Indigenous community bestows special responsibilities upon them.
Two-Spirit refers more to a way of living rather than sexual orientation. America has multiple Indigenous tribes so each tribe will have a varying definition of two-Spirit. However, they have a very expansive perspective on gender. Duane Brayboy best explains this: “Native American societies acknowledged three to five gender roles: female, male, Two Spirit female, Two Spirit male and transgendered”. While multiple tribes express their appreciation for Two Spirit roles differently, they have a set of overlapping traits.
A major aspect of Two Spirit that’s held in value among tribes is their skillset. Two Spirit male and female individuals were recognized for their ability to do work that the “opposite” sex would typically do. For example, a Two Spirit individual could be a healer and a hunter. Regardless of their gender, they could typically achieve positions and tasks such as weaving, leather embellishing, pottery or leadership.
Two Spirit individuals were also held in high spiritual regard, as many believed supernatural intervention contributed to Two Spirit individuals. Gender variation is also a major aspect of Two Spirit; by crossing the border between men and women in “temperament, dress, lifestyle, and social roles”. Although Two Spirit is not exclusively in regards to sexuality, many Two Spirit individuals form same-sex relationships.
Unfortunately, colonialism nearly eradicated the existence and appreciation of Two Spirit. However, Two Spirit and LGBTQ Indigenous youth are now reclaiming that lost space. A very strong form of resistance against this suppressive colonialism are Two Spirit powwows. The biggest powwow, which is increasing in size, gathers in California at San Francisco’s Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit, or BAAITS. The Indigenous community is also recovering their space by organizing more Pride festivals on their reservations.
If you’d like to learn more about Two Spirit, I recommend watching this video as well as reading this article to help support Two Spirit as an ally.