The Role of the Transvestite in Native American Culture

• Information on an evolutionary perspective on transvestism? by Dr Brian Robinson, 4/12/97
  • Transvestism: A couple more thoughts by James Brody, 4/23/97
    • Comment on Stevens & Price by Dr Brian Robinson, 4/24/97
      
      

Brian,...The American culture has historically looked down on the role of the transvestite and typically has identified them as deviant or perverted (with the possible exception of rock stars). The Native American culture (Indians) have ,historically, appropiated roles within the tribal nomadic milleau for those members who demonstrated special talents or behaviors that were seen to be not only utilitarian but were also recognized as having a spiritual component. The role of the transvestite within the tribal nomadic plains indians was seen as an adjunct, if you will, to those roles that were fulfilled by the Medicene man and the Shaman. The transvestite (a variant of the Contrary) within the tribe often provided a link between the Shaman and Medicene man and the other tribal mambers. Those roles, often ridiculed as homosexual traits by the European invaders, were considered not only sacred but also closely related to the need to maintain tribal unity and connectedness within the tribal culture. Some of these tribal functions included: soothing, mediation, counseling (interpreting messages from the Shaman who was seen as directly connected to the Great Spirit), and providing warmth and comfort to those tribal members who were in need. They also provided a very important link between the female and male tribal members in terms of communication and understanding. This aspect would often involve what is contemporarily known as advocacy (for female members). It was not essential for the transvestite to engage in homosexual or heterosexual behavior but this was acceptible as part of the duties related to providing warmth and comfort to all tribal members. ...It is sad that contempory American culture is unable to see the importance and relavence of this role that our fellow native countrymen and women have recognized for centuries. Personally, I see the transvestite as an ancient and important link that connects the male and female worlds and provides us with insight into all our "demensions". To view the role of the transvestite as a mere vestige would trivialize their place in history, would be a diservice to their contempory role in our societies, and would be a tragic cross cultural blunder. To conceptualize the transvestite as deviant or perverted would be the eqivalent of culturalcentric bigotry..........Ed

• Further thought on Transvestism by Dr Brian Robinson, 5/26/97
  • Spandrels by James Brody, 6/8/97
    • Noodle Node by Ed Riemann BS MSW LCSW, 6/26/97
      • Welcome: I was worried by James Brody, 6/28/97