BESE Explains: Two Spirit

The term "Two Spirit" is being used by the Indigenous queer community to help them claim not just their gender identity, but their ethnic and spiritual heritage, too.

The term "Two Spirit" became official in 1990, to describe Native American people who are believed to be blessed with both male and female spirits. But the concept of gender fluidity has existed in Native culture for centuries. In this episode of BESE Explains, Paola Ramos tells us how a group that was once celebrated by its community has had to fight to keep itself from being erased.

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Founded by Zoe Saldana, BESE's mission is to broaden and reshape the cultural narrative by shining light on the untold stories that reflect today’s America. We respect all identities and admire the people who have the courage to say, “this is who I am.”

We are BESE.

[tedecker]

The Lakota (my people) have certain words in our language that are said differently by the men and by the women. As a child grows and learns to speak, they will begin to use one form or the other. There has never been a need to “come out”, you have unconsciously defined yourself since you were a toddler, and were first placed on Mother Earth wearing your ceremonial first moccasins (beaded on the bottom). I’m 73 and still have mine.

[lalalanga]

This is so interesting. Reminds me of Chidera Ihejikira's article on gal-dem talking about the flexibility in gender systems of traditional Igbo culture and language in Africa.

[kian]

I’m ftm trans but lately I’ve been questioning myself. As an indigenous person, I’ve been thinking two spirited fits me a lot better. I look neither male nor female, neither do i sound like more than one or the other.

It makes me emotional when I think about starting to refer to myself as two spirited instead of trans. Transgender feels more like someone born as male transitioning to pass completely as female.

Calling myself non binary doesn’t fit, either. Two spirited fits best but its frustrating to figure stuff like this out, just how worn out I’ll end up later on when I actually know who I am, yk?

[theeAnteePop]

Nzho! Big thank you from a Chiricahua Apache Two Spirit!

[neLessCar]

so for today, within minutes thanks to the internet, i found out what is the term for my feeling knowing to have male and female inside me.
i feel a tiny bit more complete

[conservelesoleil]

I think we need to make it simpler or we’ll soon need an acronym for the acronym. Weren’t we fine with the + to include all the others that don’t feel included in the 7 letters that we already have?

[lemonporpoise]

What is this person’s name... I listened to what they were saying and am glad they are explaining a suppressed and misunderstood part of history but like.... I am also in love

[permadimas]

To the speaker : where's your dad? Is he home? Or you grew up without him?

[bjorn]

I’m a mixed native (white, First Nations and Mètis) and I’ve been thinking of using this term for a bit.
I’ve grown up with my white family mostly, other than my sister who’s native and my dad who comes often. I’m currently trying to reconnect and learn about my culture, and was exposed to it a bit as a kid. Would it be ok to use the term two spirit if I connected with it? I’m still not sure if I do but as a queer native person I’ve been thinking I might.
If anyone can help or lend their own perspective I’d appreciate it so much, thank you.

[organicmagic]

Knowledge and education about indigenous culture will hopefully result in the rejection of the colonizers oppressive religion

[guac]

As someone who comes from Hispanic ethnicity but Native American ancestors, would I be able to use the term Two Spirit?? Personally, I feel like I can relate so much with this term at it makes so much sense for me, I've always felt like I had both masculine and feminine energy in me and am also Gay. But, I understand that the term is more then just a word but a statement.

[davidchavez]

How is weaving and hunting supposed to be considered feminine and masculine? Doesn’t this sound like even the native Americans conformed to gender roles?

[mitozmartinez]

Yá’át’ééh
(Everything on the surface of Earth Mother and in my life is good)
“Pain is a seed. Together, we learn how to plant pain so that it blooms passion within our garden of existence.”
🦋🌈🌻✊🏽
Nehuan, Tehuan Tlehco
(Together, We Rise)
All my relations...
Nimitztlazohtla
(I love you deeply)

[Thanatos_]

What about the Viking warrior class of Berserker, who believe they were bear in human skin? Wouldn't they fall into this idea? Also, I don't understand how the idea of being two spirit is not a religious belief?

[Ratryoshka]

Is it like the bissu people in Bugis tradition?

[bagofworms]

So great to see you guys spreading love and awareness about these things

[permadimas]

2S : When you grew up in home where your mother and father is not so fakap and not present, so you got confused with your role

[renekroeger]

Wanishi (thank you) from a Delaware, Peoria,Shawnee two spirit from Oklahoma

[dkstewy]

How many 2 spirit people are there - 2?

[EpicurusWasRight]

This is the best explanation I’ve found so far. Now I really think being included in LGBT+ hurts the history of two-spirit.