LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance have come a long way since the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Yet, there is still a deep lack of awareness and knowledge around the “+” in the widely used acronym, which is a shorthand acknowledgement of the many overlooked and misunderstood identities that exist beyond mainstream representation.
One of these identities is “two-spirit,” a unifying term coined in the 1990s to encompass a multitude of identities and expressions that are unique to Native Americans who are LGBTQ+ . Two-Spirit describes individuals who simultaneously hold and embody both “masculine” and “feminine” spirits, though its meaning varies across tribal nations. Gender-diverse relatives were honored as sacred in many communities and held significant social and spiritual roles as healers, caretakers, and knowledge-keepers. This was a natural part of everyday community life prior to colonization, which forcibly imposed binary systems on Native people and attempted to erase these cultural practices.
The impacts of erasure continue to be felt today, yet Native cultural roots are strong. We are witnessing a powerful resurgence of identity. According to the Trevor Project’s report The Mental Health and Well Being of Indigenous LGBTQ Young People, “Just over a quarter (28%) of Indigenous LGBTQ young people reported that they identify as Two-Spirit.” This generation is reclaiming cultural and sexual identity in meaningful ways, creating spaces of inclusion and celebration within their communities.
One of these spaces is at Sitting Bull College (SBC), where a Two-Spirit Club has begun to thrive on campus. Jon (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), a Two-Spirit student at SBC, restarted the club in 2021 in the wake of increasing anti-LGBTQ legislation, recognizing there was a deep need for 2SLBGTQ+ students to have a safe space to fully be themselves.
Students and community members speaking at a Two-Spirit Club meeting.
“With all of our programming and outreach that we have done over the years, it feels like we have a lot of community support,” Jon shares. “Individuals reach out to us for guidance, invite us to participate in community events, and spread awareness even further.”
Club advisor and SBC faculty member Glen Philbrick adds that the space has grown into one of joyful connection and advocacy. It is a place for students to celebrate, share concerns, access resources, and build community they may not have had access to otherwise. The club hosts an annual color run, a 5k where participants wear all white and then are doused in colored powders along the route, which is one of the largest youth events in the Standing Rock Sioux community. They are also planning to host the community’s first ever Two-Spirit art and fashion show in the fall.
Participants at Sitting Bull College after the color run organized by the Two-Spirit Club.
For many 2SLGBTQ+ individuals both historically and today, isolation is a very real experience. Representation is critical to reminding them that they belong and that a thriving world is only possible when they’re included. SBC Two-Spirit Club member, Alex (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), shares how transformative visibility can be:
“My life changed when I saw the Two-Spirit community within my tribe. After learning that our ancestors were celebrated for their identities, I have not once felt ashamed of myself. Instead, I feel proud to be who I am and I have never felt more connected to my culture than I do now. We have always been here, and we can never be erased again.”
These students are leading by example, ensuring every space created is one where everyone can belong. The medicine and knowledge Two-Spirit relatives carry is integral to community health. When these spaces are protected and uplifted, healing comes full circle for everyone.
For non-Native allies especially, Pride Month is not just a time for awareness, but a call to action. Listen, learn, and actively ensure every space you are in is one where 2SLGBTQ+ individuals can be safe and thrive.
Two-Spirit relatives are not simply a “+” at the end of an acronym. They are the culture-bearers, knowledge-keepers, and leaders who are helping guide us toward a future that embraces the full spectrum of identity and expression.
For 2SLGBTQ+ relatives and allies, explore additional materials from our dedicated selection of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Resources, which uplift and center Native identities and experiences.
