Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity. It refers to having both a masculine and feminine spirit, and is an all-encompassing term for LGBTQIA+ identities within Indigenous cultures. The concept of Two-Spirit is rooted in traditional Indigenous teachings, where some people were believed to be gifted with carrying two spirits - one male and one female.
These individuals often had non-traditional roles in their communities, such as women participating in warfare or men marrying other men. Two-Spirited people were respected and revered in their communities as fundamental components of Indigenous cultures and societies.
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Pronouns
There is no single set of pronouns that are used by people who identify as two-spirit, as gender expression and identity can vary widely within this community. Some may use pronouns typically associated with masculinity, such as he/him/his, while others may use pronouns typically associated with femininity, such as she/her/hers. Some may use they/them/theirs pronouns or other non-binary pronouns. It is important to respect each individual's chosen pronouns and to ask for their preferences rather than assuming based on their appearance or assumed gender identity.
Celebrities
Here are a few examples of Indigenous celebrities who have publicly identified as Two-Spirit:
Qwo-Li Driskill - poet, author, and scholar
Ty Defoe - actor, writer, and musician
Tony Enos - musician and performer
Sheldon Raymore - actor, director, and writer
Justin Ducharme - actor and filmmaker
Thomas Page McBee - author and journalist
Shawnee Talbot - musician and performer
Tazbah Rose Chavez - artist, poet, and activist
Jacob Wren - author, artist, and performer
Joel Mendoza - artist and performer
Gender Types
Gender identity is a deeply personal and complex aspect of a person's identity, and it can vary widely from person to person. Some people identify as male, some as female, while others identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or another gender identity.
Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. In other words, it is a person's subjective experience of their own gender.
Identity & expression
It's important to note that gender identity is not the same as biological sex, which is typically assigned at birth based on physical characteristics. Gender identity is also distinct from gender expression, which refers to how a person presents their gender to the world through clothing, hairstyle, behavior, and other factors.
Respect
It's important to respect and validate each individual's gender identity, regardless of how it may differ from societal expectations or traditional notions of gender. People should be able to express their gender identity in a way that feels authentic to them and should be able to access the rights and protections they need to live fulfilling lives.
