Native American Two-Spirit Men

This paper reviews the historical and contemporary literature on sexual conduct and identity among Native American men. Sexual conduct between people of the same gender was institutionalized, that is, considered fully acceptable and normal, in many Native communities. In part, institutionalized same sex intimacy was supported by religous beliefs that acknowledged the existence of people (and gods) who were neither entirely male nor entirely female. Because of this, Native American men today are likely to reject such lables as homosexual, gay, or berdache, in favor of two-spirit men. Culturally sensitive ways of working with such Native American men are discussed.