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The article discusses how Native American Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ people have been under historical marginalization through colonialism that has attempted to dissolve the diverse gender identities of people who embraced them. It also brings into light the ongoing struggles they are experiencing today, such as discrimination and mental health issues, while emphasizing resilience and the importance of reclaiming cultural significance​.

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As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, it is helpful to reflect on Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ identities in Native American communities, beginning during pre-colonial times, and the impact of colonialism on these identities today.

Most known scholarship about pre-colonial American sexuality and gender comes from the journals of early European colonizers. The most prominent accounts note seeing men married to men, whom they called "berdache," and "passing women," who were assigned female at birth but took on masculine roles.

Research shows that more than 150 different pre-colonial Native American tribes acknowledged third genders in their communities. And that may have been a unifying feature of different pre-colonial cultures. Historians have also documented the highly regarded role of spiritual leaders in pre-colonial West Africa who were assigned male at birth but presented in a feminine manner, the existence Muxes in Zapotec culture in what is now Southern Mexico, Bakla in pre-colonial Philippines and Hijra in South Asia. All of these individuals were assigned male at birth but their gender expression and/or community role was more feminine.

By no means did all pre-colonial Native American communities accept or celebrate gender and sexual orientation diversity. Often when tribes were conquered, they were taken as slaves or forced to submit sexually to their conquerors. However, we also know from writings of the European colonizers that not everyone they wrote about self-identified as third gender - some of them were conquered warriors who were forced to dress femininely. Interpretations of the role and standing of Two-Spirit and third gender people varied by tribe. What is clear from these accounts is that gender and sexuality was certainly more fluid in Native American society than it was in European society.

The effects of colonialism in Native American communities resulted in both marginalization on the basis of racial/ethnic identity and also of gender and sexuality. Christian European colonizers condemned same-sex relationships and gender variance as sinful and used these beliefs to further dehumanize Indigenous people. Native American Heritage Month enables us to honor and build awareness of the legacy left by many whose stories are rarely told.

Below we highlight two prominent Two-Spirit leaders from the 1800s:
We'wha - Zuni tribe
We'wha was a member of the Zuni tribe in New Mexico (as seen in header image). She was what the Zuni called Lhamana, which was a traditional Zuni gender role who was assigned male at birth but lived in part or mostly as a woman and wore women's clothing. Llamana people did a mix of women's tasks in daily life but also fulfilled special functions (usually reserved for males in Zuni society) that included spiritual, meditation, skill in crafts and the knowledge for instructing others.

In 1886 We'wha was hosted in Washington, D.C., by anthropologist Matilda Stevenson. During that visit, We'wha met President Grover Cleveland and was generally mistaken for a cisgender woman. One of the anthropologists close to her described We'wha as "the strongest character and the most intelligent of the Zuni tribe."

Osh-Tisch was a leading baté of the Crow nation and held an esteemed position in her society. In the Crow nation, it was not only acceptable for one to be baté, but they were often regarded highly as being the bridge between the two genders. Being baté, Osh-Tisch was allowed to take on both traditionally female and traditionally male roles and was known for excelling at both. She was esteemed not only for the amazing sewing skills that earned her the right to make the Crow Chief Iron Bulls a buffalo skin lodge, but she was also known for her ferocity in battle. Her strength as a warrior is what earned her the name Osh-Tisch, which translates to "finds them and kills them." Not only incredibly threatening and impressive, but it also refers to the time she helped another soldier by shooting a wounded enemy in the Battle of Rosebud.

We encourage you to learn more about Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Native American identity and history by visiting the following websites:

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Two Spirit and LGBTQ Idenitites: Today and Centuries Ago - HRC

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Post submitted by Ana Flores, HRC Senior Manager, Inclusion, Education & Engagement

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In Rebecca Nagle's twitter thread, it talks about the term "Two Spirit" which was coined in the early 1990s by Indigenous LGBTQ elders. The term serves as an umbrella for LGBTQ+ Native Americans, acknowledging the diverse cultural roles and identities among the over 570 tribes within the U.S. This indicates that cultural reclaiming and healing from colonialism are a core aspect of what it means to be Two Spirit; it is ignorant of such cultural reclaiming and healing from colonialism for individuals who are non-Native to claim an identity as Two Spirits​.

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The image points out that more than 130 tribes have, for centuries, engaged in same-sex marriages. Believing in the false narrative of the claims made by some Christian leaders that there has never been such a practice, it points out that Two-Spirit people, sacred to their cultures, house both masculine and feminine qualities.

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This TikTok gives insight into her discovery of realizing she was two-spirited. She also mentions how Native Tiktok provides more information on the topic, and how the community is accepting and answers any questions.

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Let’s talk Two Spirit! Two Spirit is an Indigenous term that emerged in the 1990s, but Two Spirit people have always been here (often as revered and respected members of their communities). It’s an umbrella term, and is most often described as someone who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits within them. Two Spirit people historically carried out both traditionally feminine and masculine roles within their community, and in some cases were viewed as a distinct third gender. But, note that the definition of Two Spirit can vary among people and tribes. If you’re Two Spirit, how does the identity embody who you are? Thanks @Haley Robinson  #itgetsbetter #2s #2slgbtqia #twospirit #nativetiktok #indigenoustiktok 

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@itgetsbetter
Let’s talk Two Spirit! Two Spirit is an Indigenous term that emerged in the 1990s, but Two Spirit people have always been here (often as revered and respected members of their communities). It’s an umbrella term, and is most often described as someone who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits within them. Two Spirit people historically carried out both traditionally feminine and masculine roles within their community, and in some cases were viewed as a distinct third gender. But, note that the definition of Two Spirit can vary among people and tribes. If you’re Two Spirit, how does the identity embody who you are? Thanks @Haley Robinson #itgetsbetter #2s #2slgbtqia #twospirit #nativetiktok #indigenoustiktok
♬ original sound - It Gets Better

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The Two-Spirit flag bears a rainbow gradient that reflects the variety of gender identities and sexual orientations found in Native American cultures. This design honors the blending of traditional Indigenous values with contemporary LGBTQ+ identities in honor and celebration of the sacredness of Two-Spirit individuals and their respective roles within their communities. The feathers symbolize feminine and masculine identities, the circle represents the unity of the identities, and lastly, the rainbow symbolizes the queer identities as a whole in today's society.

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This video dives deeper into the history of Two-Spirited people, providing terms such as "Winkte" and 'Nadleehi" which are part of Two-Spirit roots. This video also provides a timeline of the history, and how the Indigenous people were robbed of not only their land but their traditional traditions due to colonization.

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What Does "Two-Spirit" Mean? | InQueery | them.

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Cleopatra Tatabele is a Two-Spirit Black and Taino artist and educator, through their art and activism, they underscore how important Two-Spirit identities are within Indigenous cultures. They work to educate others on the shared history between Black and Indigenous peoples while fighting for recognition and the revival of Two-Spirit traditions today.

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The video "Two Spirit" by Injunuity discusses Two-Spirit identities among Indigenous cultures, their historical importance, and spiritual roles. It features personal stories of Two-Spirit individuals in ways that share experiences and challenges of living with such identities, emphasizing the need to reclaim these identities today. The video looks forward to educating the audience about the rich cultural heritage of Two-Spirit people.

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Human Rights Watch, the article on the Two-Spirit movement debates its fight for self-governance as well as acknowledgment within the Indigenous communities and beyond. It shows the plight of the discrimination and cultural appropriation that Two-Spirit people face and espouses their efforts to reclaim roles and identities often ignored. The movement to empower Two-Spirit individuals insists on rights and visibility as crucial parts of Indigenous culture.

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Abbey Koenning-Rutherford Aryeh Neier Fellow

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The Struggle to Reclaim Autonomy in the Two-Spirit Movement

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For centuries, two-spirit individuals have been subjected to violence and assimilation. Today, two-spirit activists across the United States are coming together to reclaim their autonomy and preserve their legacy.

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Kairyn Potts, a Two-Spirit Indigenous influencer, spoke at Santa Monica College about the importance of Two-Spirit identities and queer youth within Indigenous communities. He spoke of the spiritual signification that comes with being Two-Spirit; his journey through this discovery, embracing himself while fighting for the right of Indigenous children not to experience injustices in foster care.

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Two-Spirit Indigenous Social Media Influencer Enlightens SMC — The | Corsair

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Kairyn Potts, a Two-Spirit Indigenous social media influencer, spreads awareness about queer youth in Indigenous communities and being Two-Spirit during his visit to SMC on May 4.