NATIVE AMERICANS (Organizations, Resources)

ORGANIZATIONS

North East Two Spirit Society (NE2SS). NE2SS.org is devoted to providing information about and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and two-spirit American Indians of New York City and the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut).
According to the 2000 US Census, New York City is the home to the largest urban Indian population in the country. The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society (NE2SS) works to increase the visibility of the two-spirit community and to provide social, traditional and recreational opportunities that are culturally appropriate to the two-spirit community of NYC and the surrounding tri-state area. At the heart of the efforts by NE2SS is community development for all our peoples.
We believe the first step toward an individual making healthy decisions comes with the development of self-esteem. We also strongly believe that community pride is an integral component in the development of self-esteem. By combating isolation and developing self-esteem, we are not only addressing the basic needs in our community, but we provide the foundation for adding a new and vibrant component to New York City’s American Indian experience. http://www.ne2ss.org/   

American Indian Community House, Inc.
American Indian Community House was founded in 1969 to upgrade the economic status of American Indians and foster intercultural exchange with other groups. www.aich.org 

The Two Spirit Society of Denver. The Two Spirit Society of Denver is non-profit organization comprised of a dedicated group of GBLT Native Americans and their partners in the Denver area who are united by their struggle to restore Two Spirited people to their rightful place in the sacred circle. The Two Spirit Society of Denver seeks to achieve this goal using the following methods: 1. Provide support for GBLT Native Americans. 2. Provide community outreach to GBLT Natives, elders, and the non-native community . 3. Provide cultural education regarding traditional Two Spirit functions in Native American Society and guidance in reclaiming that role in contemporary times . 4. Provide a forum and plan of action for social change in Native American communities.

What does Two Spirit mean:  The term Two Spirit is a modern pan-indian (universal) phrase that can be applied to Native Americans who are Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, or Transgendered. Two Spirit is generally felt to be the more culturally sensitive and accurate term over the presently accepted anthropological term "berdache," which simply means "kept boy," "catamite," etc. Use of the term Two Spirit carries with it the general inference of respect to the traditional role that a GBLT individual would have played among their people(s) prior to colonization. While it is most correct to use a people's individual term for their GBLT members, the term Two Spirit is useful when refering to Native American GBLT groups comprised of members from different or multiple native people's. http://www.denvertwospirit.com/ 


RESOURCES: 

The organizations listed above offer many resources in New York City and in Denver, CO. 

DVD
The documentary Anyone and Everyone tells the stories of families from across the United States who are all connected by having a son or daughter who is gay. The poignant and often heart wrenching documentary by first-time local filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz reveals families struggles and desires to accept a child’s sexual orientation.
The film features families from a diverse range of religious and cultural backgrounds such as Japanese, Bolivian, Cherokee, Mormon, Jewish, Catholic and Hindu. These parents share intimate accounts of their experiences when their children reveled to them that they were gay. While some showed unconditional support, many struggled with their child’s sexual orientation, fearing alienation from their extended family, their church or their community. The driving point of the documentary is that the families featured really could be “anyone and everyone.” The issues in this film do not discriminate, as it shows families with gay children that come from all classes, races and religions, yet all experience similar emotions and struggles. To obtain copies of the DVD, go to: www.anyoneandeveryone.com/about.html