Navajo Transgender Women’s Journey of Acceptance in Society
<p>The English term, <em>Two-Spirit</em>, attempts to incorporate and honor the word in hundreds of native languages for a person whose persona projects both masculine and feminine spirits. The identity of “<em>Two-Spirit</em>” denotes individuals who have traditional traits such as name givers, ceremonial leaders and caregivers. <em>Two-Spirit </em>individuals were revered as they had abilities to see the world from both a male and a female perspective. In some Tribal Nations, such as the Navajo, they are an integral part of the creation stories that exemplify their distinct abilities. Before contact with European colonists, sexuality and gender diversity was widely accepted and every person had their own unique position in tribal communities; however, with the forced introduction of Christianity into tribal communities, <em>Two-Spirit</em> people today are perceived as perverse and the term generates alienation and feelings of shame among individuals in the LGBTQ community.</p>
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