Phoenix Gets Greater

Learn about Two-spirit people:

Two-spirit identity is a third, separate gender identity (ie. not synonymous with being trans) that is unique to Indigenous peoples in North America; in a nutshell, it’s an umbrella term for those who house both masculine and feminine spirits. While two-spirit people have existed for centuries, the term “two-spirit” only came into use relatively recently: it was coined in 1990 during the Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference held in Winnipeg, with the intention of replacing a derogatory term coined and perpetuated by European settlers. “Two-spirit” is a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term “niizh manidoowag.” It’s important to note that the term is pan-Indigenous, and that many Indigenous Nations have their own more specific terms for this gender identity in their language. In various communities, being two-spirit can be connected to elements of sexuality, spirituality, dress, and traditional roles in the community. Historically, two-spirit individuals were highly respected and were given important roles in their societies, such as healers, shamans, ceremonial leaders, and keepers of traditional stories.