Two-spirit people: Native American gender identity, sexuality, and spirituality By Sue-Ellen Jacobs, Wesley Thomas, Sabine Lang

Key Words:
gender bending, gender blending, gender changing, healer, caregiver, not for reproduction, cultural rules, expected behaviours



Two-spirit is a term which was coined at the third conference for Native American/First Nations Gays and Lesbians in Winnipeg. It came about to replace the term "berdache," a term which was gaining negative connotations and was not representative of the actual Two-Spirit belief. The modern notion of Two-Spirited will include Native American gays and lesbians, those who claim multiple genders, transexuals and transgendered people. Two-Spirit allows Native American's to distance themselves from non-native gays and lesbians.

At one point two-spirited people left the reservations attempting to find those of similar interests. The motivations behind their emigration was to escape negative connotations that came with their gender identity. With rise of HIV and AIDS among the gay communities there was the threat of disease. Two-Sprited people were afraid to be considered to ahve caught the "white gay mans disease." As well, Indigenous communities had been subject to colonization and the introduction of catholicism wherein anything outside of heterosexuality is considered a sin. Traditionally two-spirited people were given the role as helper/healer/caregiver as they were not meant to reproduce.