Accent on Diversity: Two-Spirits" Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth. Alan Watts, Life Magazine, April 21,1961 The North American Indian "Two-Spirits" Our genetic and physical sex is what we are born with, while gender is how we each re- spond to this biological sex. Almost all societies provide for exceptions to gender rules. In modern Western culture, sadly, we tend to be uneasy about what it means to be a man or a woman, and regard it as a black and white affair, either male or female. Though our sex is rooted in our biology, and the rules of femininity and masculinity are well defined, gender is a cultural expression with many themes and variations. The Two-spirits of many native North Americans are good examples of what occurs when one has the freedom to define one's gender, even in the face of substantial biological and cultural influences. A Two-spirit (formerly known by the French derogatory term berdache) is a generic term for a person, usually male, who is anatomically correct but assumes the dress, occupations, and behavior of the other gender to effect a change in gender status. Two-spirits, or "third genders," are found in over 150 Native American societies. As Eu- ropeans and Americans tightened their control on American Indian lands, however, the majority of two-spirits faded from contact and view by 1900. Most accounts of these indi- viduals are retrospective, and their existence a tight-kept secret in dusty research findings of yesteryear. Nonetheless, we do know much about two-spirits. Research denunciation, bias, and reticence to discuss two-spirits by assimilated Indians in a dominant culture have clouded discussion of these free-spirited intermediately gendered persons. Two-spirits assumed occupations, dress, hairstyles, and mannerisms of their preferred gender. Males often imitated women's voices and manner of speech, and transvestism of- ten marked the final stage in gender change. Male two-spirits engaged in craft and domes- tic work duties, while female two-spirits performed hunting and warfare duties. Since many of these individuals were spiritual leaders, enjoying social and economic prestige in their tribes, children with such tendencies were attended to and encouraged. Sexual pat- terns varied from straight to bisexual and gay. Limited evidence seems to suggest they were predominantly homosexual, though other research emphasizes the importance of so- cial aspects of cross-dressing, occupation, and status, rather than sexual behavior. The two-spirit status has sometimes been confused with cross-dressing as punishment for cowardice in warfare, homosexuality, and hermaphroditism. Further confusion exists about whether two-spirits were "inter-sexual," meaning having outwardly visible genetic errors. This latter is doubtful, since clear know-ledge of sex was often necessary before so- ciety permitted a gender status change. It is interesting to note that those two-spirits that displayed exceptional skill, creativity, and talent were from the most accepting societies. An example of this fact is Klah, a Nava- jo two-spirit who transformed weaving into an exceptionally fine art. 10 Significant and quality productivity seems to be a hallmark of two-spirits." Woman Chief, a Crow Indian and biological woman, was equal to any Crow man as a hunter and warrior; and she proved it by supporting four wives." What types of "transgendered situations" are preva- lent in our society today? List some. 12