Frameline Voices: Two Spirits

Joey Criddle is a Two Spirit man fighting with other LGBTQ Native Americans to reclaim the place of honor that many Two Spirits once held prior to colonization. The film follows Joey as he leads parallel lives - one as a co-director of the Two Spirit Society of Denver and the other as a father attending the Mississippi wedding of his Pentecostal son. Joey's words bridge the gap between the closeted man he was in Mississippi and the Two Spirit activist he is today.
Ruth Fertig 2007 22 min. USA
Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media arts. Frameline Voices is a new digital initiative that showcases diverse LGBT stories and expands access to films by and about people of color, transgender people, youth, and elders.
More information: www.frameline.org.

[@prohibitionfighter]

This really brightened up my day just right, as a Native American and an openly bi male my ancestors have always been a big influence and inspiration. So bless you for bringing my this piece of our worlds survival in this changing world.

[@TheLonelyBearCub]

I am also a homosexual Native American. I am Eastern band Cherokee and plains Cree, and my boyfriend is Menominee. Its certainly a shame that we are looked down on for our orientations. Thanks for posting, makes me proud to see others like us.

[@stormpolamalu]

I'm so in love with Native American Tribal Communities. I'm Samoan; a small tribal island in the south Pacific. There, we have a third gender called the "fa'afafine" (fah-fah-feen-nay) and it is accepted. European Colonialism plays a huge role in why we're not revered but we don't throw "Fafa's" in the ocean if they are in the village; we love them. Sadly, as Samoa (the island) progresses (or digresses) so do traditional values and the Fafa's face a lot of setbacks and barriers. love this video!

[@GaasubaMeskhenet]

the fa'afafine were the first time I heard about a "third gender" I don't remember what documentary it was. Maybe that weird series just called Taboo

[@polimana]

hehe i'm samoan and native american! and two spirit isn't that a malo combo

[@ByTruthImFree]

Fabulous! May the Great Spirit bless us all!

[@EthanCole15]

Proud to be a trans native woman :)

[@Enneise]

Hello; I am not a Native American, I am not an American citizen, I am not gay, I am a hetero French woman and I do appreciate you very much mister Criddle. Thank you for this video.

[@Enigma7777]

Enneise we appreciate you as well

[@FEMME_CHRONICLES]

Joey Criddle we just watched this in our SXST class at York University and you just have such a gentle calm loving nature that was beautifully protrayed in this flim.

[@ottabee]

Thank-you so much for this video. What a gorgeous and wonderous sharing of life, wisdom, compassion, and sacred medicine.

[@LisaBabcockfulltimervgal]

Powerful and very moving. Moved me deeply as I am also a two spirit and have lived many of these truths. Thank you for being brave enough to share.

[@Threetails]

When I came out to my father, he was the first to tell me about the two-spirits that he had read about in Lewis and Clark's journals. Because of that, he was very philosophical about it and we've been very close ever since. Even though I'm mostly white European by ancestry, I've felt a debt of gratitude to The People of North America for having had such brave and loving views on gender and sexuality, and I'm horrified at how that was destroyed by my own people. Let love lead the way, always.

[@minervagalvez4748]

Mary Lou, was my mentor in college at Metro...she helped me to understand Two Spirit and in the process understand who I really was. I love you Mary Lou, always and forever...and I am still saying like you told me to say to people, "Bless-Um You." ❤

[@chasefunk]

he should have told you about seeing a therapist.

[@chasefunk]

@@Threetails whatever you got to do for attention.

[@chasefunk]

@@Threetails even 10 year old comments can be read today genius and ya, at it's core your seeking attention.

[@harlanfreeze6002]

❤❤ Loved, loved, loved this. It takes much courage to live ones inner truth. I AM glad the great Spirit lends you so many adopted sons (with genuine love to give) till your birth son fully gets the "two spirit" memo. You are still young, with a lot of happy years left to enjoy. Thanks for being a shinning example of true self love. Greetings from South Louisiana. One/12th Cherokee.😊❤

[@TheScifichik]

Proud of my limited Native American heritage. This was a beautiful piece of information. Blessings to you, Joey Criddle.

[@wbworkout]

Thanks for posting this and educating all people. The time has come for all cultures to stop persecuting 2 Spirit People and see them as a community resource. They bring so much to culture, medicine and so many other trades and paths.

[@ghoulwhip96]

2 spirit people = men

[@JoeHesterMusic]

Thank you, for doing this video! It's very inspirational. I'm half Cherokee, born and raised in NC. I never knew this, about Native American culture, but am happy to have learned of its existence! Joe

[@Eltoca21]

I learnt something today... thank you...

[@deeramos9416]

Thank you so much for your blessings. Accept ing all as they were meant to be. I haven't heard the phrase two spirits since I was a child. Thanks again.

[@natashayerkovich6602]

nga mihi ki a koutou arohanui ....all our love from the Maori people indigenous tangatawhenua of Aotearoa New Zealand we celebrate you two spirits

[@NATHANSLATE]

MAKES SO MUCH SENSE

[@achhere2040]

they seem so happy and joyfull and harmonious toghether :)

[@TheShmurray]

Such a beautiful culture.

[@windstorm1000]

Joey--thanks for posting this is special--we wrote each other many years ago! Thank you!!

[@whatisonyouanme89]

Great video. i love hearing about other people's view on lgbt, and the spiritual roles of lgbt. accepting was very hard for me. but im proud of who i am and working on turning around the negativity that i built not accepting the truth. We are part of this family to!

[@windstorm1000]

I am grateful for two spirit men for their stories--its easier now--but wasn't always!

[@thenakedpriestess]

Excellent video on Two Spirited people, thank you.

[@evad520]

I'm Potawatomi and Bi. I just learned today that the Potawatomi word for Two spirit people M'netokwe literally translates to supernatural or extraordinary.

[@Clematisian]

. . . *Beautiful ...Thank you, Joey.* . . .

[@nonayobizness]

Grew up in African-American Penecostal church in the South. Many Blacks believe Europeans invented homosexuality but I'm learning that it was European Colonialism and their Christian leanings which stamped out the historical acceptance and celebration of 2-spirited people in the Americas. I'm sad that this part of our history has been wiped out, snuffed out and subverted and I'm just now learning about it in my 40s. Also sad that Preachers are using the Bible to intimidate and demean people from the pulpit every Sunday - people who are two-spirited. Also in places like Jamaica these folks are beaten, killed, maimed, taunted and bullied due to misinformation & misguidance.

[@AntajuanGrady]

I think homophobia is a tool white people used to separate natives and blacks so it would make them easier to take over.

[@FR0STBL0D]

To me it's deeply shameful what white people and so called "missionaries" did to Native Americans - especially to people who are now called two-spirits. Even more so, when one takes into account, that neither the Bible nor many famous saints are free from what may be considered a third+ gender. However until now lots and lots of people are not able to see that ... qspirit.net/

[@boilerplate7]

I like very much the 2 spirit idea. I have equal parts of my mother and father within me. I can't deny either of them. They are welcome to run free within me. Without them both I am empty.

[@KimbaLorber]

This was wonderful! I'm so glad I came across it during my search for Two Spirit info. Inspiring and heartwarming :)

[@LuLuKWFL]

Thank you.

[@mashinarose]

thank you

[@teenunu]

Awesome video. Queer trans male two spirit and proud

[@sum12sumwhere]

I've tried explaining the subject to a person who proudly claims their native heritage but did not know of this and commonly refers to gays as abominations because of his Biblical faith...now i can share this and spread the love and knowledge...thank you

[@chasefunk]

Careful, you might want a little more weight than a you tube video before you go "sharing"

[@blackcitroenlove]

Just part of who we are. It's legitimately fucked up that we were shamed out of it by the settlers.

[@imtoosnob]

This is a new take on gender identity for me and i'm feeling very moved and shaken inside my soul, i may have found a simple yet hidden truth about myself.

[@chasefunk]

don't you mean souls you 2 spirited baffoon.

[@nativeatheist6422]

Interesting video. I learned some things.

[@skylarwalker724]

I just love this whole thing......SO MUCH!

[@sleekcartim]

Good video. Now i miss denver & ive never been there. 2 spirit blackfoot here. keep up the good work spreading truth! 1 LIFE

[@vmonkey8]

I love the dream catcher!

[@the1tigglet]

western culture has forgotten that our history filled with famous individuals who were gay but not out, need to be reminded as well that we too have had gay people who held prestigious places in societies, we've forgotten because it's easier to fear things we don't understand.

[@yozmitube]

Two-spirits are divinity. Door to magic. Transcendent power.

[@meowey55]

I'm proud to be a gay native american man :3

[@lpsling]

Nice people.....love them !

[@slimsxyblkwoman]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! We all know that there's a deeper reason behind the social engineering of hatred towards the GLBT community. Genocide, wars and murder, which not only kill individual lives but generations isn't met with as much hostility and anger as people who are openly gay, lesbian, etc., and we have to open our minds and figure out the real reasons why this is so.

[@abl85542]

I can so relate to your story growing up in my community

[@MsMidwestInvasion]

Great video! I'm lesbian and 1/8th Seminole from Oklahoma. Would've certainly preferred to grow up in an accepting Native culture than the oppressive world I inherited. I've heard plenty of Evangelical preachers denounce homosexuality in my day and it didn't feel good.

[@gwyneth7812]

lovely

[@FEMME_CHRONICLES]

i loved that part too our entire class laughed.

[@FEMME_CHRONICLES]

keep up with the good work!

[@-soul-2514]

I've grown up in my grandpa's Pentecostal church and I'm afraid to tell him that I'm a two spirit because he might reject me and it scares me because I've looked up to him for so long and he's a preacher so i thank it would kill him but i cant not tell him

[@Frameline]

Kiara, it can always be hard to come out to family. There are lots of organizations we can recommend including trans lifeline (even if you aren't trans identified): www.translifeline.org/

[@stephanieinthewild2678]

Kiara and anyone born two spirited, you are important. Higher power created you for a special important purpose besides loving and being compassionate healers. You were born to help in population control problem. It was no accident you are born is way. It is natural and nature. Nothing to feel guilty about, no sin. You were born a natural healer.

[@harvini1]

I am not a Two Spirit but did grow up in a Pentecostal Church too. I was married for 20 yrs and had 3 kids and one Grandson when I came out. I'm 69 now and have had lots of regrets, but coming out of the closet isn't one of them. . I did lose all my so called friends, but my family has embraced me and my partner and being able to live my life in the open is worth all the temporary uncomfortable years I went through at first. Now my friends are true friends and I don't have to hide from my family. I've been blessed more than others because my kids are still close to me and love my partner as family, even my ex wife is friends now with us.

[@wadesmoke9726]

I think the guys round dancing together was so beautiful. This society threw away their own Two Spirit people when free love, drug experimentation of the free love society was still so prevalent that unfortunately the LGBTQ+ people of the dominant culture never had anyone to tell them of their own beauty and specialness of having the honor of having both the male and female within their being and that it has nothing to do with ones sexual preference as an identity..It has always been a dream of mine to Round Dance with the one special person.

[@anonymousanon3055]

nice vid, thanks for posting

[@mark747100]

I want that dreamcatcher.

[@Bot-tm7hs]

Is two spirit the same as gay? Can lesbian women be two spirit?

[@jackheltzel2804]

I believe str8 men walk the path to extinction. Without guidance , from the sensitive, we are all doomed.

[@ilovetenchi21]

Proud to be an agokwa and a gay Ojibwe

[@MrFalconford]

where are the rest of them?

[@MsStephaniegirl]

Im two spirits thaku for this xoxoxox

[@harvini1]

Joey, so glad to see you on here. Lane looked you up and relayed me the news. Are you still nursing and is John Mosley still living. You are still as sweet as ever. Gary and I are still together and I am now a Great-Grandfather. We have been together 26 yrs and have lived in Memphis, TN for 25 yrs. If you are ever in Memphis come stay with us. I'm retired but Gary is still working and will until he dies probably. Hope you see this and contact me. I'm also on facebook.

[@burtsmith9425]

Walter L. Williams wrote a book about this in old traditional indian culture ,it is called: The Spirit and the Flesh, it is a topic that was not discussed because the white mans religion thought it was of the devil. in reality of indian ways all were accepted & two spirit people were looked up to as a medeator ,shaman,etc.because they could see the world as a man & a woman. The book, i felt is a must read. Check it out,might be hard to find !!

[@hawra9863]

Took me a while to understand what he meant when he said my son is 29 but I'm only 35. I was having a mind blowing moment cause I thought he had him when he was 6? Why am I so stupid?!

[@JordannAlexander]

Hawra 😂😂😂😂

[@Atlanesman]

I met and loved one Native AMerican man....I wish I could meet another. SPiritual...deep...handsome....

[@grinthirteen3932]

one love, one mind, one tribe

[@isaacwofford1281]

i have personally seen that homophobia is partly responsible for the high rate of suicide among native teens. I am white, but i lived on an indian reservation....AND i am gay. after a while i spoke to absolutely no one and could very well have gone down that same route. they were just mad that my people gave them technology, ha ha. anyway, show them how important two-spirits are!

[@yahya4370]

It’s crazy that they took you in to live on their reservation and you could turn around and speak of them as if you gave a alleged primitive people something like technology... where was all your big IQ technology when you was leeching off the Native community? Be gay but don’t say ignorant shit about the people you lived amongst since they weren’t holding you hostage.

[@flow_dojo]

🌹🌹🌹

[@meuriidourado.2892]

Bem que podia ter legenda em português

[@nonayobizness]

So sad that his son didn't want to be filmed. Christianity inflicts a lot of shame on and fear in people. Fear of sinning, shame of being LGBTQ, fear of going to hell etc.

[@isaacwofford1281]

i was offered a Fulbright when i wrote about how the word "hero" in the ancient aztec language was changed to mean "faggot." the best warriors burned their battle partners (who they were often sexually active with, JUST LIKE SOLDIERS TODAY) in front of their own towns and villages. immediately the words for warrior became synonymous with horrible rape, then the natives destroyed their own culture and spoke spanish, instead. very sad, don't let Christians do that to your culture.

[@FEMME_CHRONICLES]

they didnt "allow" it, it was forced upon.

[@juanitamartinez279]

Well thats what religion does it seperates & divide. Friends , family, even enemies. The stupid what religion its trys to make you feel worthless. They tell you you are a sinner & they are no better than anyone. The world would be a better place without religions , dogmas. & politics of men 😎👍👪👭👬👫💋🌎

[@utej.k.bemsel4777]

I 've just learned that i am maybe a twospirit ...

[@thelegendaryblackbeastofaa115]

For six minutes, I was engrossed in a dead-serious video about GLBT issues in another culture. And then..... "Ain't this the gayest dream catcher ye ever seen?" XDDDDDD

[@sixfivecreedmoor]

3:30 You had a kid at 6?!

[@ghoulwhip96]

Two-spirit people = just gay men

[@nornalhumsn7167]

Your mom

[@youngatnaruto]

its the same way a biracial child feels

[@lgl5701]

Maybe 60 years ago, in certain parts of the world and even still, I don't think It would have really been the same.

[@humieandoscarlopez3483]

Who’s this white boy talking he ain’t got no native blood in him

[@ZeeZahSmile]

This man clearly has European blood but acting as if His ancestors didn't cause all this division 😂😂😂😂😂

[@francinemorris4622]

It’s important to note: all two spirits aren’t bisexual. I’m a native two spirit, a super hyper active thom boy since birth. My non native captors pushed me toward Doing more girly things because I was into playing with the boys. I wasn’t attracted to boys or girls. I was too busy on the playground playing field games

[@debraknight7952]

THE MAIN CHARACTER DOESN'T EVEN LOOK HALF NATIVE AMERICAN BUT PURE WHITE.

[@obatalaosun2222]

Just like African mothers didn't reject their lightskinned children who were conceived by the sexual assault of the slave owners, so Indigenous didn't reject their children who carry some of the features of the colonizers.

[@JSamIam]

Hey Mr 2 spirit guy, what about NO TRESPASSING do you not understand?.....stepped right over the sign. "Im 2 spirt…..Im special.....rules that apply to all you one spirt people dont apply to me.....cuz im 2 spirited.

[@xToxicFusselx]

You must be fun at parties.....

[@bassline5633]

An elder taught me what in ancient time a two spirit was considered. The Elder said: A two spirit is someone who is born like having two spirits, man and woman, they seemed already complete, They had no need for a husband or wife, and desired no one. They lived a celibate life, and were powerful spirits, who were medicine men, and woman. THey came from the great mystery, and it was considered a transgression for anyone to desire a two spirit, and it was a transgression for homosexuality. He said, what some people consider two spirits today is the result of a hybrid culture (he meant because of colonialism). So I say the truth to you, Two spirits are not homosexual drag queens, that was a result of Molesting Heathen cults that came to america as result of perverse Celtic Cults coming to america through colonialism, and these cults afflict our people even today, which is why we see these homo liers coming out. Also I say truly to you, the ancient americans had Laws of creator that were never to be transgressed, or you could be exiled from the tribe or even killed, just like the Israelites. So these claims that this law against homosexuality, and drag queens came from the colonists is a major lie. That was our laws before colonialism, it is colonialism that brought homosexuality.

[@obatalaosun2222]

With respect to the elder, his understanding of two spirit people is itself informed by the religion, protocols and outlook of the colonizers, like that of many of our elders. Among many Indigenous peoples around the world, there are more than two genders and multiple accepted sexual orientations. Furthermore, if we are to invoke the laws of the Creator", do those laws apply to the countless examples of animals, some of whom only copulate with the same sex, some that mate for life, and some who even rear young ones of their species together? Not in captivity, in the wild.

[@bassline5633]

@@obatalaosun2222 that is what you tell yourself to validate your belief, but how much thought have you given it? What medicine ways do you know? He was speaking of a philosophy sacred to our people, setting us apart, by understanding the balance and aspects of our reality. Creation expresses the cloven, and the many faces as characteristics of spirit. It is fundamental, with regard to cultural wisdom. If you do enough research, you will find abstinence and celibacy are practices throughout the world, Indigenous also speak these wisdoms. The truth is, colonists brought lawless ways including sexual perversion, and the government has been rewriting our history, to justify making us their bedfellows in the black snake society, to be like them, the wild west. I suggest you dig deeper.