Two-Spirit Pride Flag

Two-Spirit is a modern, pan-Indian term to describe people who have been part of Native American culture for countless generations.

Simply, Two-Spirit people have both a male and female spirit within them and see life through the eyes of both genders. Many indigenous communities not only accepted these two-spirit, or third-gender, people but gave them a ceremonial role in their culture.

Two-Spirit is often confused by outsiders with being ‘gay Indian’ or ‘LGBTI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) Native American’. But the term was created to preserve the cultural history of these particular LGBTI+ Native Americans, rather than for the whole community.

The flag’s simple design combines the traditional rainbow flag with a double feather.

Tris Reid-Smith/GSN

What Does It Mean to Be Two-Spirit?

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous cultures in North America to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine qualities or holds a unique gender role outside the traditional male-female binary. This term is deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of various Native American and First Nations peoples, where Two-Spirit individuals are often seen as having special spiritual or community roles. The term “Two-Spirit” is modern and was coined in the 1990s to provide a more inclusive and respectful label for these individuals, replacing older terms that may have been derogatory or misunderstood. Being Two-Spirit is not the same as being transgender, as it is tied to specific cultural and spiritual contexts within Indigenous communities.

Not: It’s important to remember that the term “Two-Spirit” has specific cultural and historical significance within Indigenous communities. It’s crucial to use the term with respect and understanding of its cultural context.

The term “Two-Spirit” encompasses a diverse range of gender identities and expressions within Indigenous cultures.