On November 15th, the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society hosted a community forum titled, “Gender, Sexuality and Our Elders” to mark National Native American Heritage month.

We thank Kevin Van Wanseele for recording, editing and posting it to YouTube to share with you.

For more background information on this event, click more below.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

NE2SS proudly presented:

Gender, Sexuality and the Role of Elders: From a Two-Spirit

Thursday, November 15, 6-8pm

LGBT Community Center 208 West 13th Street – Rm. 101, NYC , NY 10011

Indigenous peoples have of North America have histories and traditions that date back to time immemorial.  While masses of Europeans lived in abject poverty subject to the individual whims of a few men, Indian people had thriving democracies based on equality, respect, responsibility and diversity.  European colonists found these traditions so unusual and threatening to the oppressive systems they understood that they were compelled to set about systematic destruction of many nations and our way of life.  From ancient pasts our lifeways and intellectual perspectives have been significantly different in a variety of ways.  Noteworthy differences on aging, the role of elders, women, sex, gender and sexuality require examination, not as an alternative, but as a solution to many of today’s social ills.

Join us as elders SHARON DAY, the Executive Director of the Twin City’s Indigenous Peoples Task Force, KENT LEBSOCK, of the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society and LOUIS MOFSIE , the lead-singer and founding member of the Thunderbird American Indian Singers and Dancers and Chairman of the American Indian Community House’s Board of Directors, examine the past, present and future of Indigenous Two-Spirit traditions, our communities and, most importantly, the roles of our elders . The forum will also address the enriching traditions Native Americans can offer as solutions to issues surrounding gender diversity, sexuality and aging.

List of Co-Sponsors:

Ø      American Indian Community House

Ø      Audre Lorde Project

Ø      First Voices Indigenous Radio

Ø      Flying Eagle Women Fund

Ø      Gay Men Health Crisis

Ø      Indigenous Peoples Task Force

Ø      National Native American AIDS Prevention Center

Ø      Native American Council of Columbian University

Ø      Native Peoples Forum of New York Unverisity

Ø      OUTfm