Becoming Two-spirit
Gay Identity and Social Acceptance in Indian Country

The Two-Spirit man occupies a singular place in Native American culture, balancing the male and the female spirit. Drawing on observations from interviews, oral histories, and meetings and ceremonies, this work provides a view of how Two-Spirit men in Colorado and Oklahoma struggle to redefine themselves and their communities.

He also shows how their creativity is reflected in the communities they build with one another, the development of their own social practices, and a national network of individuals linked in their search for self and social acceptance. Brian Joseph Gilley is an assistant professor of anthropology and the ALANA U.S. Ethnic Studies Program at the University of Vermont.

1. Seeking Self- and Social Acceptance
2. From Gay to Indian
3. Adapting to Homophobia among Indians
4. The Aesthetics of an Identity
5. Cultural Compromise at Work
6. Mending the Hoop
7. Difference and Social Belonging in Indian Country