Gender as Sacred

I'm reading article in Transgender Tapestry magazine titled Native-American Spirituality: Understanding Gender as Sacred. Doctor Kenneth Dollarhide of Kean University states that the idea of writing this paper came out of reading books, articles, lectures and talks. Transgender and non transgender people were part of the information.

Having Native-American blood in my ancestry, I took an interest in this article. The European-American view and the Native-American view of gender and sex is quite different. The former is rigid and scientific while the latter is diverse and fluid. Being trans, I know this to be true. There are days that I experience so many expressions.

Before the influence of European culture, third and fourth sexes were generally accepted as a norm. Two-spirit people (as it is called today) were looked upon as people with special gifts. I see being transgender as a gift because it is a natural part of my being. I never chose it, it was in-born.

I am still reading and studying the article. Another installment will be in the next issue of Transgender Tapestry. In the next few posts I will discuss what conclusions I come away with. I will be investigating two spirit in my tribe (Choctaw). From what I see, my Native-American ancestors view of gender and sex is more in line with the Creator.

Genevieve

Article: Dollarhide, Kenneth Native American Spirituality: Understanding Gender As Sacred. Transgender Tapestry, Issue #115, pp. 33-36.