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Two-Spirited People by Elva Thompson

 

The world’s gone mad

 

In the last few years sexual preference and gender orientation have become a hot topic. We are being told all kinds of extraordinary things. Who can fuck who, who can and can’t get married, rows over bathrooms and who can use them. Plus, a new dictionary of words have appeared to describe human sexuality:  transgender, transsexual,  gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, gender queer, etc. And, certain factions of the public are so hung up on gender pronouns that instead of saying he or she, we have to call a single person they.

 

Yet, the world’s obsession with sexual orientation and other people’s sexuality seems to be a relatively modern day phenomena. In earth based aboriginal societies there was none of the present day hysterical prejudices around gender. In a holistic, inclusive society, Creator doesn’t make mistakes.

 

An indigenous view of gender

 

In most Native American tribes ‘two-spirit people’ were considered neither men nor women; they occupied a distinct, alternative gender status. Gender and sexuality were seen as a continuum and there was a recognition of the masculine and feminine in all people. There were two-spirit males and two-spirit females.

 

More than 150 Native American tribes recognized alternative genders in their communities prior to colonization, with many of these identities having unique names and cultural significance. Most tribes considered two-spirit males and two spirit females as a third and fourth gender variant.

 

Two spirit people filled special religious roles as healers, shamans, and ceremonial leaders. They were very important members of the tribe.

 

It was only after colonisation that the christian church condemned same-sex relationships and gender variance as sinful, and used these beliefs to further condemn, control, victimise and dehumanise indigenous people.

 

The disruptions caused by conquest and disease, together with the efforts of missionaries, government agents, boarding schools, and white settlers resulted in the loss of many traditions in Native communities.

 

Two-spirit roles, in particular, were singled out for condemnation, interference, violence, sexual assault and murder. As a result, two-spirit traditions and practices went underground or disappeared in many tribes.

 

A metaphysical view of gender

 

The metaphysical mind understands that in a duality you will have male at one end of the scale or spectrum, female at the other end, and a plethora of sexual polarities in between. Therefore, it is quite likely that some people have a male spirit that inhabits a female body and vice versa. We all know women who have male aspects and men with female attributes in varying degrees. It is only church dogma and a book of lies that tells us that god created two genders. (Genesis 5 v2)

 

Suppressing sexual instinct

 

One of the main reasons for sexual and gender intolerance is patriarchal control religions and their indoctrinated followers. Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sufi Islam all preach that in order to get closer to Creator, sexual urges have to be suppressed. We have to be celibate and abstain from sex.

 

But sexual desire is built into our bodies by sensory demands and chemical instructions. Fundamentally at base level, we are nothing more than walking reproductive automatons controlled by our sex hormones just like any other animal. When we deny our sexual nature, we go through the torture and agonies of suppressing the basic urge of life that is programmed into us.

 

All about sex

 

God told us that he made man in his own image, and to go forth and multiply and fill the earth….but according to St Augustine and the christian church, sex is the original sin.  And, to enter the priesthood one has to be chaste.

 

The suppression of the creative act has led to the sexual abuse of millions of children by Catholic priests, nuns, and other members of religious institutions. The church accused women of unrestrained sexuality and blamed them for ‘the original sin.’ Even in the 21st century, women are still regarded by religious fundamentalists as sinful Jezebels, second class citizens and the tempters of men.

 

Sex is sinful

 

The religious dogma that sex is somehow dirty has created countless numbers of heterosexual emotional cripples who feel alienated from their sexuality because they are caught between their desire (mostly out of fear) to be a good christian, and their all too human sexual needs. And so many of them spend their formative years, wanting, repressing, secretly touching, engaging in risky sex and living in a culture where sex appeal and bodily appearance has more value than their service to humanity.

 

Non binary individuals face an array of  challenges trying to cope with their sexual orientation in the face of heterosexism, the religious ideological system that denies, denigrates, and stigmatizes any non-heterosexual form of behavior, identity or relationship. Many non binary individuals fall prey to this insidious mind set and end up with depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health disorders.

 

Love and sex

 

“If I thought this would never happen again I would die.
But this is wrong, nobody dies from lack of sex. It’s lack of love we die from.”
― Margaret Atwood,

 

Love and sex are often seen as separate entities, but these two aspects of life are deeply interconnected. The presence of love and intimacy in any relationship can significantly enhance the physical pleasure of sex. Intimacy and love can add an emotional depth to sexual experiences that is unmatched by sex alone. Love can create a more holistic experience, as both body and mind are engaged in the activity. Whether our partners are binary or non binary, love and sex can lead to deeper relationships, more fulfilling experiences, and an intimacy based on love, respect, and trust.

 

Spiritual connections develop between two people when they can reach into their inner selves, share their feelings and belief systems. Together they can form a loving bond, a union beyond the physical realm that leads to something more lasting and profound.

 

So let’s get off the gender bender merry go round. Move forward as a human family not backwards. Love each other. It’s that simple. Live and let live for there is only One Life.

 

“Merging “consciously” in sexual union is one of the most important moments in time. It is a contract of two souls. An expression of divine commitment to each other. If we stop dividing sexuality and spirituality, we can understand its sacredness.”
― Victoria L. White.

 

Much love to you all.