H.A.V.E.N. Update
By Cathleen Osborne-Gowey (Program Admin – Crime Victim Advocate) 918.554.2836 or COsbornegowey@estoo.net
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Support Group: Please call our office for details.
Program Update:
Hello all –
This past month, June, was Pride month. It’s a great time to educate ourselves on what LGBTQ2 means. We hear it quite a bit, but do we understand what it means? Do we know what “two-spirit” refers to? The more we know – the less we can “other” each other. The less we “other” each other, the more likely we are to step in when we see someone in need – when we see someone in pain or who might be hurting. Violence happens in all relationships, regardless of sexual orientation. Let’s get to know each other, so if we’re needed we understand.
Article by Aadya Rising @ https://www.aadyarising.net/blogs/what-does-the-2-in-lgbtq2-stand-for
What Does the 2 in LGBTQ2 Stand For?
Have you ever asked yourself what some of the letters in LGBTQ2 (actually) stand for? Yes? Then you are not alone! Broader queer communities are constantly working on their “visible inclusiveness” by adding letters to the LGBT acronym and it can be hard to keep up. We are taking the opportunity in PRIDE MONTH to decode some of it:
L-esbian, G-ay, B-isexual, T-ransgender, Q-ueer.
Sometimes I for Intersex, and A for Asexual are included. To be even more inclusive, the acronym is sometimes finished off with a +. The plus represents all members of the community that have not been specifically mentioned. These may include pansexual or nonbinary people. In North America and especially in Canada, we will sometimes find a number in the acronym. When I moved to Canada, I was curious to find out what the 2 stands for. I, learned that it means: two-spirit.
Two-spirit is an umbrella term that is used nowadays as a self-description by, or reference to, some Native (North) American or First Nations people, who form a third gender in their community.
You may rightly ask yourself, “but why the number 2?”. The 2 in two-spirit refers to the combination of male and the female spirits. While a woman is perceived as having a female spirit, and a man as having a male spirit, a two-spirit person embodies a fusion or synthesis of the latter. Thus, it forms a third gender.
Translated into non-indigenous terminology, two-spirit describes an identity and/or sexual orientation somewhere akin to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer. However, these translations do not do complete justice to the term. Two-spirit encompasses indigenous worldviews specific to their communities, history, and culture. It is more than a gender identity or a sexual orientation. It also involves certain societal roles, such as healer, artist and storyteller. Sometimes a role of sacred ritual is also involved. There are differences from nation to nation and it is not used by all queer people in Native North America.
With more than 500 surviving Native American Nations, including Cree, Lakota, Ojibwe and Navajo, concepts around gender and sexual orientation are diverse, as are indigenous terminologies.
Do you find this confusing? Well, maybe at first glance. Yet, it is just more proof of how diverse the rainbow is in its entirety. Yet, we can all come together and celebrate ourselves during Pride (but hopefully not only now!). Just a little reminder: the two-spirit concept belongs to the rich cultural heritage of the many nations of indigenous peoples who have inhabited “Turtle Island” (North America) prior to colonialism and through until today.
For more than 400 years, Native Americans have been subjected to colonization, exploitation, and discrimination. The term two-spirit is thus reserved for members of these native communities. It is not a term that non- indigenous queer people may use to describe themselves.
Don’t forget to include the 2 in the acronym. Language is important. Language matters. Language colonizes and de-colonizes. By using language consciously, we can empower certain voices instead of silencing them.
Haven Office Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
HAVEN Does NOT provide 24- hour service. After hours please call:
StrongHearts Native Helpline https://strongheartshelpline 1-844-762-8483 (call or text) or Community Crisis Center, Miami, OK 1-800-400-0883
StrongHearts and Community Crisis Center have 24 hour service
Please call the HAVEN office during business hours for more information.
918-554-2836 or Text Line: 918.533.3070
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
