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    Two Spirit: Difference between revisions

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    [[File:Two spirit.png|thumb|220x220px|Miigwan's two spirit flag.]]
    [[File:Two spirit.png|thumb|220x220px|Miigwan's two spirit flag.]]
    [[File:Two spirit alt.png|thumb|220x220px|2Sanon's two spirit flag.]][[File:Enby two spirited flag.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Alternate two spirit flag by 2Sanon.]][[File:Twospirit3.png|thumb|220x220px|Lgbtqa-pride-icon's two-spirit flag.]]'''Two Spirit''' or '''Two-Spirited''' is an [[Exclusive Genders|exclusive identity]] for Indigenous North Americans and is defined as an [[Umbrella Term|umbrella term]] for sexuality, gender and/or spirituality. Two Spirit being seen as an umbrella term encompasses [[Gay|homosexual/homoromantic]] attraction and a wide variety of gender variance that includes people who in western culture may be described as [[gay]], [[lesbian]], [[Bisexual|bi]], [[Transgender|trans]], [[genderqueer]], [[Gender Non-Conforming|GNC]] or those who have [[Multigender|more than one gender identity]]. Two-Spirit also may include relationships which are [[Ethical Non-Monogamy|non-monogamous]].
    [[File:Two spirit alt.png|thumb|220x220px|2Sanon's two spirit flag.]][[File:Enby two spirited flag.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Alternate two spirit flag by 2Sanon.]][[File:Twospirit3.png|thumb|220x220px|Lgbtqa-pride-icon's two-spirit flag.]]'''Two Spirit''' or '''Two-Spirited''' is an [[Exclusive Genders|exclusive identity]] for Indigenous North Americans and is defined as an [[Umbrella Term|umbrella term]] for sexuality, gender and/or spirituality. Two Spirit being seen as an umbrella term encompasses [[Gay|homosexual/homoromantic]] attraction and a wide variety of gender variance that includes individuals who in western culture may be described as [[gay]], [[lesbian]], [[Bisexual|bi]], [[Transgender|trans]], [[genderqueer]], [[Gender Non-Conforming|GNC]] or those who have [[Multigender|more than one gender identity]]. Two-Spirit also may include relationships which are [[Ethical Non-Monogamy|non-monogamous]].


    Two-spirited people often serve a ceremonial role as well. In some tribes, when the term is used as an English synonym for a traditional ceremonial role, a two-spirited person must be recognized as such by the Elders of their community.
    Two-spirited individuals often serve a ceremonial role as well. In some tribes, when the term is used as an English synonym for a traditional ceremonial role, a two-spirited individual must be recognized as such by the Elders of their community.
    Most tribes have a tribe-specific name that is used to describe a third or fourth gender category, and may be used synonymously with two spirit in English. Two spirit was created as an English word to serve as an umbrella term for the diverse, culturally-specific ceremonial and social roles found in many different Native American and Indigenous cultures. The roles that can be described as two spirit can vary widely. No single gender or sexuality category within Native American/Indigenous' cultures applies to all two spirit people and vice verse.
    Most tribes have a tribe-specific name that is used to describe a third or fourth gender category, and may be used synonymously with two spirit in English. Two spirit was created as an English word to serve as an umbrella term for the diverse, culturally-specific ceremonial and social roles found in many different Native American and Indigenous cultures. The roles that can be described as two spirit can vary widely. No single gender or sexuality category within Native American/Indigenous' cultures applies to all two spirit individuals and vice verse.


    As an umbrella term it can be more accurately understood as any identity that does not make sense unless it is contextualized within the framework of a Native American or Indigenous traditional cultural understanding. Not all two-spirited people consider themselves transgender, non-binary, or [[LGBT+]] however some two-spirited people do seek to be included under LGBTQIA2+, as there were Indigenous Native people fighting for gay rights at the Stonewall riot in 1969.
    As an umbrella term it can be more accurately understood as any identity that does not make sense unless it is contextualized within the framework of a Native American or Indigenous traditional cultural understanding. Not all two-spirited individuals consider themselves transgender, non-binary, or [[LGBT+]] however some two-spirited individuals do seek to be included under LGBTQIA2+, as there were Indigenous Native individuals fighting for gay rights at the Stonewall riot in 1969.
    == History ==
    == History ==
    [[File:Two spirit flag.jpg|thumb|Flag made by sirieko]]
    [[File:Two spirit flag.jpg|thumb|Flag made by sirieko]]
    The English term "two spirit" was proposed by Elder Myra Laramee in 1990 out of the third annual inter-tribal Native American/Indigenous [[gay]]/[[lesbian]] American conference in Winnipeg. A direct translation of the Ojibwe term, ''Niizh manidoowag'', "two-spirited" or "two-spirit" is usually used to indicate a person whose body simultaneously houses a masculine spirit and a feminine spirit. The term can also be used more abstractly, to indicate presence of two contrasting human spirits (such as Warrior and Clan Mother) or two contrasting animal spirits (which, depending on the culture, might be Eagle and Coyote).
    The English term "two spirit" was proposed by Elder Myra Laramee in 1990 out of the third annual inter-tribal Native American/Indigenous [[gay]]/[[lesbian]] American conference in Winnipeg. A direct translation of the Ojibwe term, ''Niizh manidoowag'', "two-spirited" or "two-spirit" is usually used to indicate a individual whose body simultaneously houses a masculine spirit and a feminine spirit. The term can also be used more abstractly, to indicate presence of two contrasting human spirits (such as Warrior and Clan Mother) or two contrasting animal spirits (which, depending on the culture, might be Eagle and Coyote).
    [[File:Two spirit flag with meanings.jpg|thumb|Meaning of colors]]
    [[File:Two spirit flag with meanings.jpg|thumb|Meaning of colors]]
    The primary purpose of coining a new term was to encourage the replacement of the outdated and offensive, anthropological term, "berdache"''.'' The term "berdache" was coined by western anthropologists and used until the late 20th century, mainly to describe feminine Native Americans assigned male at birth. The term is however inaccurate and can nowadays be considered offensive.
    The primary purpose of coining a new term was to encourage the replacement of the outdated and offensive, anthropological term, "berdache"''.'' The term "berdache" was coined by western anthropologists and used until the late 20th century, mainly to describe feminine Native Americans assigned male at birth. The term is however inaccurate and can nowadays be considered offensive.


    Two Spirit was intended to carry on the traditional meanings of the terms in Indigenous languages for the culturally-specific ceremonial roles that are recognized and confirmed by the Elders of the two-spirit's ceremonial community. However, it has been criticized by traditional communities who already have their own terms for the people being grouped under this new term, and by those who reject what they call the "western" binary implications, such as implying that Natives believe these individuals are "both male and female". Despite this it has generally received more acceptance and use than the anthropological term it replaced.
    Two Spirit was intended to carry on the traditional meanings of the terms in Indigenous languages for the culturally-specific ceremonial roles that are recognized and confirmed by the Elders of the two-spirit's ceremonial community. However, it has been criticized by traditional communities who already have their own terms for the individuals being grouped under this new term, and by those who reject what they call the "western" binary implications, such as implying that Natives believe these individuals are "both male and female". Despite this it has generally received more acceptance and use than the anthropological term it replaced.


    == Flag ==
    == Flag ==
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    A third one was proposed by [https://snozzzz.tumblr.com snozzzz] of [https://lgbtqa-pride-icons.tumblr.com lgbtqa-pride-icons], with yellow representing nonbinary identity, pink representing femininity, blue representing masculinity, and brown representing native blood.
    A third one was proposed by [https://snozzzz.tumblr.com snozzzz] of [https://lgbtqa-pride-icons.tumblr.com lgbtqa-pride-icons], with yellow representing nonbinary identity, pink representing femininity, blue representing masculinity, and brown representing native blood.


    A fourth flag was created by Twitter user [https://twitter.com/sirieko/status/1411911873285533700 sirieko] on July 4th, 2021. The white represents two-spirit people who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community, yellow represents Native’s connection to their ancestors, joyous spirit, and the sunlight that brings warmth, green represents Native’s connection to their Mother Earth and their tribes, blue represents the blessing that being two-spirit is, the wisdom they have access to, and the perspective they’re able to share, and purple represents their spiritual capabilities and relationship with the universe.
    A fourth flag was created by Twitter user [https://twitter.com/sirieko/status/1411911873285533700 sirieko] on July 4th, 2021. The white represents two-spirit individuals who are also members of the LGBTQ+ community, yellow represents Native’s connection to their ancestors, joyous spirit, and the sunlight that brings warmth, green represents Native’s connection to their Mother Earth and their tribes, blue represents the blessing that being two-spirit is, the wisdom they have access to, and the perspective they’re able to share, and purple represents their spiritual capabilities and relationship with the universe.


    == Resources ==
    == Resources ==
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