Queereaders discussion

If you've heard of this tradition among Native Americans, or the "bow and basket" ceremony, among others various tribes use...you might be surprised that many natives feel it is important that other cultures not superimpose their own assumptions or place their definitions upon the Native American traditions.

I recently wrote an article about being "two spirited", which I am, after having a conversation with olders from various tribes. Thoughts might be controversial, but these are the conclusions I expressed, and I welcome response or comments from others regarding. It's at my website: http://redhaircrow.com/

Interesting and difficult essay, Red. I don't think one can understand a culture without living a culture and I think it is very difficult without starting as a child.

You ask "Does "two spirited" only mean gay?" and in the conclusion you say

"...there is no “gay” among natives. If someone born with a male outward appearance feels they are female, then they are then female to us. It’s as simple as that. No other psychological terms or interpretations. That is the tradition of most Native American tribes.

Same thing with a person born with a female appearance, if they choose to be a man, then they are a man..."

Neither of these, for me is Gay. I'm male, want to be male and want other males, not just for sex which is a minor consideration, but for affection, partnering, and all other aspects of life. If I am understanding you, and I must say I have a lot of trouble grokking Native American concepts, "two spirited" is not Gay at all, but more akin to transgender.

A crucial part of the conclusion states:

"In the spirit of modernization, what a person chooses to term themselves is their choice, for “two spirit” can refer to a range of realities: intersex, transsexual, transgendered, hermaphrodite, gay, lesbian, but if you are using the term or applying to it someone, make sure you ask or define clearly and respect that answer you are given or the silence you receive.

In this modern age, of course and especially with globalization, in order to try to understand others, people naturally apply or assign their own definitions, but be careful and considerate. Respect other people’s cultures and don’t just ask the questions, but accept the answers. Accept there are differences, but there need be no dividers."

What you quoted was the traditional view of the Lakota elder who explained "two spirited" from his perspective and the oral history he'd learned. And again, the point of my essay is for people to not impose their definition of something onto a concept which might seem similar but is not the same. You are applying your own definition and is it limiting, when the term "two spirited" is not. I am a two spirited person but I am not transgendered. Some of the difficulties I've had in new American society is because of my physical duality yet people wish to label me this or that based on their own ideas, for example, which is in affect judging and 99% of the time incorrect.

I believe fully and have observed that one can understand a culture without living it or starting as a child. It can entirely depend on the person and what they learn, respect and glean from the persons from a culture. That had been shown many times from people who did not live a culture nor were introduced to it as a child and have written some of the most profound works regarding that culture. Some have that ability which is extraordinary and wonderful to see.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to say so, and glad to read you.

For me, it is always a relief to be among those of my people who keep the native ways. There's almost no words for the joy of being accepted exactly as you are, however that is.

Everyone's welcome. Honestly, depending on tribe, some tend to be quieter at first around new people, we warm up slowly and naturally.

Ah, for that, I don't know. I generally read non-fiction or sci-fi/fantasy, some gay fiction but no m/m.

I have not read any fiction dealing with Native Americans although I am aware of some releases on the markets right now. I couldn't say whether they got it right or not.

The Soul of the Indian is a non-fiction book written by a Native American, not overly long, more of a chapbook, but the expressions are very much native and accurate for the tribe spoken of.