Two-spirit

[Guest Rowan19]

Came across a wikiedia page about something called a Two-spirit recently, I find the concept intruging and self-applying.

Any thoughts?

[Guest Jenny C]

Thanks Rowan !!! Surprise nobody reacted to your link before...

Very informative site... and well documented (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-Spirit) It demonstrate how we have been treated differently in different cultures... And how our norms as a society are rigid.

Moreover, TG would have special powers ;-) Shamans... To be able to reach into both polarities of what were are is a gift... It might open us to a broader perception of reality and what is beyond...

I've read about it on Two-cups bio when I arrived here... http://www.lauras-playground.com/mtf_bio_twocups.htm

So we are gifted persons...

There is also a kind of tradition in india... Hijra ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijra_(South_Asia)

Love,

Jenny

[Michelle 2010]

Thanks for getting this topic to the surface Jenny. From early on in my journey I have embraced the notion of being Two Spirit. In my first or second GT visit I was told that I shouldn't apply too much attention to labels. I have taken that advice with the exception of this one.

While I have been aware of my feminine component my entire life, I only started dealing with it in a non closeted fashion in the last two years. During this time I have accepted and embraced my female side and i have found that the male component has not feminized, rather it has gotten smaller though not so small that I wish for SRS...

I have found the label of Two Spirit particularly useful in relation to my disclosing my GID to friends and loved ones...Most recently 3 days ago on a park bench! While GID or Trans*** labels can confuse people, Two Spirit is easily understandable to everyone I have ever uttered it to. "Oh, I see" and a nodding of the head...

I wish there was more info available on the terms use. I would love to partake in a Native American Sponsored Convention if there were one in Florida. I have seen a youtube video promoting one a few years ago.

Hugs

Michelle

[Guest Jenny C]

Super Michelle !!!

We are gifted people !!! ;-)

In fact, I think we are one spirited peoples... But who are trying to integrate both our polarities... But some are closer to this integration while most of society is still stuck in these rigid roles... I think though that it is what is referred to by the expression two spirit ;-)

Hugs and Love,

Jenny

[Guest tolachi]

I love this thread.

I have for many years tried to find the right label for me. Androgynous is the closest. I am female bodied but have a very femininely masculine spirit. I have thought of FTM but that isn't me. I have lived my whole life in a female role. I had a crisis when I was 38 because there is the male part of me that is always invisible and he began to shout out loudly for acceptance. I've wondered (since I believe in reincarnation) do I have a male spirit and I have chosen to live this lifetime in a female body. I am still on the journey of trying to figure myself out. I have a name for the male side to me as well as my female name. I have sat and thought about if I'd transition if I was just in this lifetime by myself and I doubt I would. If there was a button I could press to change me into male bodied whenever I could I would love that!!! I'd probably start off being male sporadically but I'd be pressing the male button more and more lol.

I am a wife, a mum to a grown up son, a daughter and sister. I wouldn't want to change that as my female side is very happy. My male side does come out to play often and I am lucky that I can wear the boy clothes and aftershave etc and be accepted by my family and friends. There are days I'd love the deeper voice and more masculine features but I'm quite happy with the face I've been given. I love to wear make up, bronzing for the cheeks and eye shadow/black eyeliner.

I feel I'm possibly two spirited and sometimes the invisibility of the male really gets me down and depressed. I feel like screaming out at times "Can't you see I'm male?"

I get days where I try to dress feminine and I feel so uncomfortable and have to change into my boy clothes. Then I get days where I'm dressed boyish and I need to express the feminine side. it drives me nuts lol I've even stood there wondering whether to apply perfume or aftershave and sprayed on both!

Like I said, I'm still trying to figure myself out. At age 44 though I'm not sure I ever will so i'll just be me.

I like to think I have both spirits. Female and Male. But I do tip over to the male side more than the female. But I think that my life is being lived in the female role and I have to accept that even though the boy inside screams often!!

I hope I've made sense lol It's a tough one!

Have a lovely day everyone. xx