2-Spirited People

On my previous blog, I posted several Gay Pride 2007 posters including a Pride poster from Toronto, Canada.

At the bottom of this poster, after the term transgendered, is the term 2-spirited. I paid no attention to this until Pobble Thoughts, in the comment section asked what the term meant.

It was time to add legitimacy to my post.

I went to the Toronto web site where I did a word search for 2 spirited which brought me to the 2-Spirited Nation telephone number. I telephoned and explained to the receptionist my reason for calling and was then connected to Art, The Executive Director of the 2-Spirited Nation. A conversation with this wonderful gentleman proved to be a delightfully informative learning experience.

The Canadian branches of the 2-Spirited Nation are exclusive to persons of Aboriginal descent and native North American Indians.

Two-Spirit People, or one called a 'Berdache', or even one of the 'third gender', are individuals no longer categorized as either gay or lesbian, transgendered or bisexual, but instead now placed into the 2-spirited category. Those who, in many Aboriginal and Native American Cultures, are respected and looked apon as people who are both male and female, making them more complete, more balanced than simply a man or a woman. Before those from Europe came from across the waters, and took over their land, these people were part of the 'norm', connected with the very heartbeat of the life force we are all part of.

People who were two-spirited were considered to have a great gift of vision that went beyond most people's abilities. Because of the nature of the two-spirited person, it was believed that they could understand and help solve problems that both women and men have individually or between each other. They possessed the ability to see an issue from both perceptions. Two-Spirited people were not only considered normal, but a vital and much needed part of the natural world and of the community as a whole."

As I was posting this, Blogzie was leaving a comment to my previous post, also explaining from personal experience, the 2-spirited tradition. Thank You, Blogzie..... and Thank You Pobble..... for further enriching my life.


2-Spirit Nations flag raising on Pride Day.... Toronto, Ontario Canada City Hall

GAY PRIDE ~ 2007

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On the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, CHRISTOPHER STREET GAY LIBERATION DAY was celebrated in New York City. The following year, more than 20 cities celebrated what has now come to be recognized as GAY PRIDE.

Pride celebrations today have evolved into an annual ritual and have mushroomed to encompass hundreds of thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants throughout the entire world ...

and this does not include the countless spectators.

Gay Pride is a reminder to the world that we deserve and are entitled to the exact same rights as other citizens, and should enjoy the freedom to live our own lifestyles without others passing judgment and spewing hatred.

As important, the celebrations are a symbol of unity and solidarity, and provide a vehicle to demonstrate the unique personality and characteristics that make up the very diverse GLBT populations of the world.

Gay Pride also allows the community to establish a presence, and create an awareness that hopefully stimulates intelligent discussions.

For many it is their very first step out of the proverbial closet. And for all it is an opportunity to participate in some of the biggest events of the year and to share their experiences.

I reluctantly attended my first pride celebration in the early 80's. I was gay, I was out, I was proud; just not proud enough to expose myself to the world as a gay man.

I was unfomfortable and left early. I would not attend another pride celebration until the mid 90's in New Orleans.

I now attend Gay Pride functions in New Orleans as well as in St. Petersburg, Florida, surrounded by friends, family, and co-workers.

PRELUDE

It started in 1969 in New York City on the evening of June 27th.

The Stonewall Inn, a very popular gay hangout in the Greenwich Village section of the city, was packed with its usual crowd.

What was somewhat unusual about the night was that New York City Alcohol and Beverage Control Board agents, along with a group of NYPD officers, raided the bar to enforce a seldom-used law.

This action was not uncommon, as raids on gay establishments were carried out around the city with virtually no resistance. Patrons were escorted out of their gathering places, sometimes by force, occasionally beaten, and quite regularly arrested for no just reason. And in fact, the raid on this night was the second on that very establishment in less than seven days.

But there was one thing very different about this night.

Lesbian and gay men decided spontaneously and for the very first time to fight the police harassment. The crowd, both inside and outside of the bar, erupted with violent resistance as the officers began to pick and choose which customers would be hauled off to jail. More and more law enforcement officers were summoned, and the patrons became even more united in increased outrage.

Word of this event spread like wildfire, and larger throngs gathered on the following nights to denounce and protest the mistreatment. These rallies became known as the "Stonewall Rebellion" and the "March on Stonewall," and were the genesis of the modern gay and lesbian freedom movement. They were directed against the violence and widespread discrimination against the community. Out of these demonstrations was born the gay community's quest for equality, liberation, and basic civil rights.

Prior to that summer there was little public expression of the lives and experiences of gays and lesbians. The Stonewall Riots marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement that has transformed the oppression of gays and lesbians into calls for pride and action. In the past twenty-five years we have all been witness to an astonishing flowering of gay culture that has changed this country and beyond, forever.


Featuring the Art of Joe Phillips

GLORIOUS RAIN!

After several months of experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in the history of the southeastern part of the United States, it is raining!


Yesterday, the first day of hurricane season introduced tropical storm Barry to the Gulf of Mexico and is slated to affect the Tampa Bay area this afternoon. The storm is poorly organized and winds are not expected to exceed 40 miles per hour. We are presently on tornado watch until 3:00 PM.

Torrential rain, which is a welcomed site to this area and to the entire state of Florida began at approximately 3:00 pm yesterday and has presently intensified in the Tampa Bay area where the puglets and I live. Hopefully, it will move to the northern parts of the state which have been devastated by brush fires; at times so intense that we felt the effects here, more than 50 miles away.