Inspiration – If You Look, You’ll Find It.
Be True To Yourself
June is here and we are halfway through the year! As life ebbs and flows, we’re all given the opportunity to work on ourselves. Even though we might not have enjoyed the experience, even if though it might have caused great duress, we have all come through the experience feeling a little better. Especially now that winter is over, and summer is finally here!
June is our National LGBT+ Pride Month and what a perfect time to be proud of who we are and how far we have come. As most celebrations today, their origin story is not an easy one. LGBT+ Pride was started to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Manhattan. You see the colonizer mindset has been heavily ingrained in all of us. This celebration is just one way for us to break free from a thought process that has been instilled in our society.
One of many hot topics in the United States today is Gender Norms. The fight between whether there are only 2 genders or not plagues our society. This concept was brought to the Americas by the European colonizers. You see back when the Natives inhabited this land, there were 5 genders known by every nation. Each nation even had their own words for them. They still exist to this day but have been forgotten or forced out of our history. I know your mind is probably blown right now because when I first learned this information, mine was too! Now, before I list each of these genders, you have to try to break free from the concepts we learned growing up. The term Two Spirit was developed in 1990 by the Ojibwe to replace the more offensive term “Berdache” that was used by European anthropologist, when they came to Turtle Island, which was based on the Arabic word Bardaj for “slave”. But also used by Christian Europeans as a judgmental word to condemn any “deviant” not following their binary gender roles. Native Americans recognized that there were more than just 2 genders and have shown respect for all.
So, what are the 5 different types of genders you ask? They are as following, in no order, Male, Female, Masculine Women/Feminine Men, Transgender and Intersex. Two Spirited people, people who encompass both masculine and feminine energy, were seen as a blessing in Native culture because it was seen as one person having the ability to live in both the Masculine and Feminine world simultaneously and in harmony. In some traditions Two Spirits were taught to become Shamanic Healers or lead in third gender ceremonial/social roles.
June presents us a beautiful opportunity to showcase the pride we have in being our true selves and in the battled so many have fought to break free from the colonizers social construct. Whether you are part of the LGBT+ Community or an Ally, now is the time to stand proud. We are all human and we should lead with compassion, kindness, and an open heart.
When I was young, I knew I loved both men and women and self-titled myself as Bisexual. I didn’t share this with anyone due to fear. Now that I have grown and evolved I can proudly state that I am a Two Spirit. I will no longer shy away from who I am or try to fit myself into a small box to make others comfortable. I love everyone, all my brothers and sisters and those in between, equally. Mark this as the first time I am coming out to not only my parents, but to my family, to the community that I feel safe to be around and comfortable expressing myself. I will stand strong next or in support of anyone while they walk, grow into, or express their true selves, to show that they are not alone. I hope you all have an amazing summer! Be sure to tell someone you love them! I love you all!
- Rimi Inti