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Proud spirits
Gay Native Americans balance ethnic, gay identities
By ZACK HUDSON
Friday, November 17, 2006
Harlen Pruden can walk the walk down the streets of New York, but to some of his neighbors, he’s ill equipped to talk the talk.
“People speak Spanish to me all the time, and I don’t know Spanish,” he says. “Then they get really upset with me when they have to speak to me in English. They think I’m turning my back on my culture.”
But as culture clashes go, Pruden is well versed.
“I have to say, ‘I’m not Spanish, I’m Indian,’” he says.
Continue reading "Proud Spirits, An Article in Southern Voice Online" »
Last night at the LGBT Center, The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society hosted their panel discussion, "Beyond Beads and Feathers." It was standing room only. A cross section of Two-Spirits, white LGBT's and straight academics were introduced to the Two-Spirit community of the Northeast. Panelists included drama therapist Nick Billey (Oklahoma), noted Cultural Interpreter, Ben Geboe (Yankton Sioux), NE2SS Co-Chair Melissa Hoskins (Tahlequah Cherokee), NE2SS elder, Kent Lebsock (Lakota), filmmaker and NE2SS webmaster Kevin VanWanseele (Kumeyaay), and founder of Nations of the 4 Directions, Karen Vigneault (Kumeyaay).
This event was the first time WeWah and BarcheAmpe members (the gay Indian organization which preceded NE2SS) and The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society had a chance to discuss the history of the Two-Spirit movement, where it can go, and what it has to offer Natives and non-Natives of straight and LGBT backgrounds. Other topics such as HIV and co-optation of culture were also discussed. At one point two of the panelists became quite emotionally charged when discussing the issues. (You will have to see the video to find out which ones.)
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