Unlike what many people think, homosexuality has been very present throughout all of American history. Before America was even colonized, homosexuality had been widely accepted among native American tribes and cultures. Of course this varied between different tribes, but it was common for homosexuality and abnormal gender identities to in fact be praised. The Native Americans even had a specific name for those who identified as both male and female: Two Spirits.
Two Spirit people were actually admired in Native American cultures for being able to fulfill the roles and duties of both men and women. Male two-spirits would become weavers (a female position) as well as healers (a male position). Female two-spirits could be active in battle and even go on to lead tribes and be very well-known chiefs. The way these two-spirits expressed themselves was what set them apart from normal male and female people. Their clothing styles and mannerisms were often much different than any other person. Many two-spirits even fulfilled spiritual positions, being seen as the result of a spiritual intervention, which was why they had both a male and a female spirit within them.
So what does this have to do with homosexuality? As it turns out, quite a lot. These two-spirits would often have partners of their same biological gender, and be active in both short- and long-term relationships. They were actually also thought to be lucky in love. People would approach them because of the belief that two-spirits were able to transfer their luck in love to other people. Same-sex relationships were celebrated during that time, and not thought of as strange or abnormal.
Two Spirit people were actually admired in Native American cultures for being able to fulfill the roles and duties of both men and women. Male two-spirits would become weavers (a female position) as well as healers (a male position). Female two-spirits could be active in battle and even go on to lead tribes and be very well-known chiefs. The way these two-spirits expressed themselves was what set them apart from normal male and female people. Their clothing styles and mannerisms were often much different than any other person. Many two-spirits even fulfilled spiritual positions, being seen as the result of a spiritual intervention, which was why they had both a male and a female spirit within them.
So what does this have to do with homosexuality? As it turns out, quite a lot. These two-spirits would often have partners of their same biological gender, and be active in both short- and long-term relationships. They were actually also thought to be lucky in love. People would approach them because of the belief that two-spirits were able to transfer their luck in love to other people. Same-sex relationships were celebrated during that time, and not thought of as strange or abnormal.
Example of a two-spirit person
Homophobia in Early America
As it turns out, homophobia is a very Christian concept. Settlers from Europe came to the Americas and found themselves shocked and disturbed by the homosexuality and sin running rampant among Native tribes. As they took control of the tribes and began instating their own rules on the natives, they attempted to get rid of homosexuality altogether, putting death penalties in place for that type of relationship. Native Americans and their tribes and spiritual traditions were thrown aside because they were believed to be wrong by the Puritan and Catholic colonists.
As it turns out, homophobia is a very Christian concept. Settlers from Europe came to the Americas and found themselves shocked and disturbed by the homosexuality and sin running rampant among Native tribes. As they took control of the tribes and began instating their own rules on the natives, they attempted to get rid of homosexuality altogether, putting death penalties in place for that type of relationship. Native Americans and their tribes and spiritual traditions were thrown aside because they were believed to be wrong by the Puritan and Catholic colonists.