Happy Pride Month from GLIIHC!
Although GLIIHC is Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ affirming year-round, we will be celebrating the long history of our Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ community by sharing resources to increase your knowledge and support throughout June.
- TRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER
Historically, AI/AN individuals have supported and celebrated expansive definitions of gender and sexual orientation. Sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender roles were often blurred— there was a general acceptance of all gender expressions and a lack of need for restrictive definitions. This is demonstrated by the expanse of terminology that exists describing multiple genders and sexual identities in Native communities (Jacobs, Thomas, & Lang, 1997) (Pruden, 2014).While variety in terminology remains, the unifying term ‘Two-Spirit’, popularized in the 1990s by Native activists to gender identities that do no conform to a Western binary across the Indigenous nations of Turtle Island and beyond. Two-Spirit individuals are not bound by gender roles, binary gender expression, or sexual orientation, and live according to a fluid and non-linear identity. Many Two-Spirit individuals feel that the term embodies all aspects of identity including sexuality, culture, gender, and spirituality. It also highlights how each part of identity is interrelated (K. Walters et al., 2011). Beyond the term ‘Two-Spirit’, there are many more identities and concepts that language (and literal translations) cannot explain (Jacobs et al., 1997) (Pruden, 2014).Follow the links to learn more:
Celebrating Our Magic Toolkit
Indigenizing Love Toolkit -
Continuing our celebration of Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we would like to share more information on gatherings happening across the country. While many powwows are beginning to honor the community, there have been gatherings specifically intended for Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer people to offer a space of safety and community. Check out this video by Matika Wilber (Swinomish and Tulalip) to learn more about the San Francisco Two-Spirit Powwow (2017):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4BQbRnKdIYOther annual or past gatherings: