Two-spirit

umbrella term for the third gender in the indigenous North American cultures

Two-spirit is a term used by some Native Americans who have a gender that is more than just man or woman,[1] fulfilling a non-binary or third sex role. The term was first created in 1990 at the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference, so it could be used instead of berdache, which was seen as derogatory.[2] It is an umbrella term, including all Native third sex roles, and so has been criticized for erasing the unique roles of individual Native peoples.[3]

A two-spirit pride flag

References

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  1. "Two-Spirit". Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  2. "Refusing Berdache, Becoming Two-Spirit". INSURRECT!. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  3. "SAA Bulletin 16(2): Appropriate Terms". web.archive.org. 2004-11-05. Archived from the original on November 5, 2004. Retrieved 2024-11-27.