Register online now by simply downloading the NE2SS 2010 Two-Spirit Gathering Registration Form, filling out the required fields, and emailing it to gathering@ne2ss.org.

Native American Club @ NYU, The Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, New York University, American Indian Law Alliance, The SilverCloud Singers, in conjunction with The Unkechaug Nation

INVITE YOU TO A COMMUNITY SOCIAL

Surviving three Generations of Removal, the American Indian Community of New York City

Sunday April 25th 2010

2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Come and Enjoy a day of Food,

Socializing, Singing and Dancing, Games,

50/50 Raffle and DOOR PRIZES

New York University

60 Washington Square

Kimmel Center, Room 914

New York, NY, 10012

6 train to Astor Place or R Train to 8th Street or A,C,D,E,F train to West 4th street. For More Info: Please call (201)876-8463 or email kevin@silvercloudsingers.com or mborst1@msn.com

NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, Somjen Frazer, a Researcher and Evaluation Consultant, local NY Native and Non-Native community based organizations, and the New York State Department of Health are working on the first-ever New York State Needs Assessment for the Native Two-Spirit community.

Currently, we are organizing a series of focus groups throughout New York State. At these focus groups, participants will be asked to share their stories, experiences and input on what they hope for our community.

[download flyer]

Here is a list of the locations, dates and time for upcoming focus groups:
Buffalo, NY
Friday, February 12, 2010
5:30pm to 8:30pm

Location:
Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc. (NACS)
1005 Grant Street
Buffalo, New York  14207

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House, Pride Center of Western NY & Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc.

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Rochester, NY
Saturday, February 13, 2010
2:30pm to 6:30pm

Location:
Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley
875 East Main Street, Suite #500
Rochester, NY  14605

Partnering organizations – Rochester Two-Spirit Society & Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Syracuse, NY
Saturday, February 27, 2010
3:00pm to 7:00pm

Location:
American Indian Community House – Syracuse site
120 E Washington St., Suite #400
Syracuse, NY 13202

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

New York City, NY
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
5:30pm to 8:30pm

Location:
American Indian Community House
11 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004

Partnering organizations – American Indian Community House

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Long Island, NY
Saturday, March 13, 2010
3:00pm to 7:00pm

Location:
The Long Island GLBT Community Center
34 Park Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706

Partnering organizations – The Long Island GLBT Community Center

Email: harlan@ne2ss.org for more info or to RSVP

Plimoth Plantation Explores 17th Century Colonial and Native GLBT History

Plimoth Plantation, located in Plymouth Mass, held its second annual, “Out At Plimoth Plantation,” an all-day, inclusive, LGBT event on Saturday, September 26, 2009 featuring family activities, unique, historical lectures including, Native/two-spirit perspectives from Harlan Pruden of the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society; a Colonial look at what Plimoth Plantation knows about gay tolerance during the 17th century and an exploration of a woman’s same sex perspective during the 18th century, presented by Dr. Jennifer Manion, History Professor at Connecticut College. In addition, the day highlighted a “Family Resource, Wedding and Event Expo” presented by Plimoth Plantation’s exclusive caterer, Creative Gourmet and sponsored by Verona Salon of Plymouth, MA. The day finished with a taste of history at the museum with a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet and Social Mixer, a perfect place for guests to discuss the day’s events, and where people connect with new friends.

“History is everybody’s story…Plimoth Plantation’s mission is to provide powerful, personal experiences with that history as we know it,” said, Richard Pickering, Deputy Executive Director. “We are successful when we are able to bring the past alive for our guests by presenting relevant, true historical accounts that they can identify with, giving them a new perspective and a real connection to the past. We are confident members of the GLBT community will enjoy seeing and hearing that they too have a valid place in early American history.”

(more…)

At a recent NE2Ss meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon that NE2SS should be an Outreach Partner for the Two Spirits: Sexuality, Gender, and the Murder of Fred Martinez Film.

The Fred Martinez Project and the documentary film Two Spirits received the 2008 Monette-Horwitz Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding activism, research, and scholarship to combat homophobia.

The U.S. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in Washington has joined the Fred Martinez Project as an outreach partner. The department will host screenings of Two Spirits around the country as a part of their ongoing national diversity programs.

For more information please visit www.twospirits.org.

From the left, Crisosto Apache, Matthew Reed and Travis Goldtooth of the Two Spirit Society of Denver drum during a blessing Sunday at the National Conference on GLBT Equality.( Brian Brainerd, The Denver Post )

By Jessica Fender
The Denver Post

“We’ll say ‘I can’t,’ cause we can’t say ‘I do,’ ” four bouffant-clad drag queens doo-wopped to a familiar tune on stage at Denver’s Grand Hyatt. “Locked out of the chapel of love.”

A national gathering of 2,000 gay and lesbian activists wrapped on a high note Sunday with the comedic crooning of The Kinsey Sicks quartet, an appearance by U.S. Rep Jared Polis and more than one joke about disgraced spiritual leader Ted Haggard.

The lighthearted end to four days of community-outreach training provided a much-needed shot in the arm for a group that suffered ballot-initiative disappointments in California and other states, said conference organizer Sue Hyde.

(more…)

(download flyer)

Let Obama know what you think of our health care system!

We are seeking public comments and input at a Community Health Discussion

Thursday, January 22nd
4-8pm

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway
NY, NY 10004

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided

Your input is important

• If you had to choose, what would your priorities be to improve Indian health care services especially in the city?
• What services would you like to see added or enhanced?
• What are the main obstacles in accessing health care?
• Most importantly, what would you say to the President if he asked you how to fix these problems?

For more info contact Harlan Pruden at harlan@ne2ss.org or 646.351.7360

Gay and transgender Native Americans find acceptance in tradition
by John Rosengren
Utne Reader
January-February 2009

Image by Mike Dvorak

He checks his plaid skirt, stockings, and deep-cut white blouse. When another man’s eyes fall on his cleavage, Richard squeezes his breasts together and answers the silent inquiry: “They’re real!”

Beyond the bathroom doors, men and women dance around a drum in more traditional costume—feathers, fox pelts, moccasins, beads, and bells. They’re all here for the 20th annual International Two Spirit Gathering, a celebration of and for those who feel they carry both male and female spirits.

In late August 2008, some 85 Native lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from three dozen tribes in Canada and the United States traveled to the Audubon Center of the North Woods, 90 miles north of Minneapolis.

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American Indian Community House Annual Indian Market 2008
(download flyer)

Saturday, December 13 - Sunday, December 21
Holiday Arts Market
12 - 8 pm daily

Judson Memorial Church
243 Thompson Street
Btwn West 3rd & Washinton Square South

For information call 212-598-0100 ext 241
www.aich.org

(download flyer)

The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society presents for this year’s National Native American Heritage Month:

Rights Denied: the Struggle for the Sacred and the Sovereign
An examination of the successes and failures of the American Indian Religious Freedom & Indian Child Welfare Acts.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of two significant laws in which the United States “gave” Native peoples’ the right to openly practice our traditional religions and a separate government “decree” that included Native American governments in the decisions about the fate of our children. Religious freedom and future generations are the heart of cultural preservation. A panel of distinguished Native American leaders and activists will examine the struggle for the sacred and the sovereign in the context of these two legislative acts.

Tuesday, Nov. 11th
6:00 to 8:00pmLGBT Community Center
208 West 13th Street, Room #301
New York, NY 10011

Panelists
Sharon Day, Executive Director of Indigenous Peoples Task Force, a full service urban Native American institution that helps Native peoples face the daily battles of survival in an urban environment including housing, health, food, spiritual access and child welfare.

Tonya Gonnella Frichner, President and Founder of the American Indian Law Alliance. Dedicated to preserving the sovereignty and human rights of all Indigenous peoples, Tonya is the current North American representative of Indigenous peoples on the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations.

Debra White Plume, Executive Director of Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way. Owe Aku is a cultural and educational organization of traditional Lakota people who fight for sovereignty. Deeply involved in preservation of cultural foundations, Owe Aku, under Debra’s guidance, is on the front lines of defending sacred sites and communicating cultural tradition to future generations.

Moderated by Harlan Pruden

Admission is always free, though donations are accepted.

A growing List of co-sponsors (as of 10/25/08):

Hosted by the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society with the help of:
American Indian Community House, Audre Lorde Project, American Indian Law Alliance, First Voices Indigenous Radio, Indigenous Peoples Task Force, Native Peoples Forum of New York University, Native American Council of Columbia University, National Native American AIDS Prevention Center and Owe Aku (Bring Back the Way).