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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