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Introduction to Trans, Two-Spirit &
Nonbinary People

Gender diversity has existed around the world for millennia and holds an important place in the histories of many cultures. These histories have often been shaped by colonialism, including attempts to violently erase Indigenous gender diversity.1 One clear lesson from these histories is that TTNB people have been part of cultures on every continent, often playing important roles within their communities.2

Research about TTNB People

The following summarizes some key historical research and teachings from Two-Spirit contributors about gender diversity around the world. The contemporary term TTNB is used in this document as an umbrella term, intended to respectfully include a diversity of genders from many cultures.

Indigenous transgender and Two-Spirit people  

There have traditionally been diverse ways of understanding concepts similar to gender and sexuality in many Indigenous communities. Examples of diverse genders can be found in Indigenous cultures across the place colonially known as North America.3 At least 168 Indigenous languages have words for genders beyond male and female.4 For example, the Ojibwe recognize four genders: inini, okwe, agokwe and agowinini.4

As part of colonization, attempts were made to violently erase Indigenous cultures and force people to conform to western ideas of sex and gender.1 Colonization continues to disrupt knowledge-sharing about gender diversity in Indigenous communities.1,4,5

Two-Spirit is an English-language term used by some Indigenous people. The term Two-Spirit describes complex understandings of gender, sex, sexuality, and spirituality within some Indigenous worldviews.1,3,6 This term was shared in 1990 at the Third Annual Intertribal Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference in Winnipeg and gained popularity after this time.1,4,7

TTNB people have existed throughout history

TTNB people have existed around the world for millennia. There are records of TTNB people existing since at least 1503 BCE (Before Common Era).8 For example, Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt, who reigned until 1482 BCE, dressed like men typically did at that time.8 There are similar records from the time of the Greek and Roman empires.8 In the 13th century, the Aztecs understood the sexuality and gender of their gods could change.9 During the 15th century, many European colonial invasions took place. European settlers documented, and at the same time tried to erase, gender diversity around the world.4,8 Both traditional histories and writings of colonists serve to document the important roles gender diverse people have held across many cultures.10

The term transgender started being used in healthcare in the mid-20th century. Transgender is an umbrella term describing people whose experience of gender is different than what is expected based on the sex assigned to them. Gender-affirming medical care was offered in Germany as early as the 1920s.11 In the early 1950s, Christine Jorgensen made history as the first American trans woman known to have gender-affirming surgery.12

TTNB people have existed in cultures around the world

TTNB people often serve important roles in their communities. Some TTNB people have been believed to have unique qualities which enable them to fulfill special roles as spiritual leaders and caregivers.5 For example:

  • The Travestis of Peru played a role in traditional ceremonies.13
  • The Hijras of India helped with births.14
  • The Bantu of Angola held burial services.15

Gender diversity has existed throughout history and on every continent. This includes places currently known as: 

  • Africa: Egypt8,16, South Africa2, Ghana2, Ethiopia2
  • Asia: Vietnam2, Korea2, China16, India14
  • Europe: France2,17, Germany18, Greece16   
  • North America: Canada3,4,6, the United States5,8
  • Oceania: Australia19, New Zealand2   
  • South America: Venezuela2, Colombia2, Peru13

References

  1. Wilson A. Our Coming in Stories: Cree Identity, Body Sovereignty and Gender Self- Determination. J Glob Indig. 2015;1(1). https://ro.uow.edu.au/jgi/vol1/iss1/4
  2. Lev AI. Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and Their Families. Haworth Clinical Practice Press; 2004.
  3. Makokis J. Understanding Sexuality and Gender from a Nehiyô maskihkiwiyiniw (Plains Cree Physician) Perspective within Treaty Number Six Territory. College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta News. Published 2021. https://cpsa.ca/news/understanding-sexuality-and-gender-from-a-nehiyo-maskihkiwiyiniw-plains-cree-physician-perspective-within-treaty-number-six-territory/
  4. Robinson M. Two-Spirit Identity in a Time of Gender Fluidity. J Homosex. 2020;67(12):1675-1690. doi:10.1080/00918369.2019.1613853
  5. Miranda DA. Extermination of the Joyas: Gendercide in Spanish California. GLQ J Lesbian Gay Stud. 2010;16(1):253-284.
  6. Hunt S. An introduction to the health of Two-Spirit people: Historical, contemporary and emergent issues. Published online 2016.
  7. Filice M. Two-Spirit. In: The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2023. Accessed April 12, 2024. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/two-spirit
  8. Bailey E. Shoulders to stand on: 19th century Trans* history continued. Empty Closet. 2014;482(September). http://www.lib.rochester.edu/IN/RBSCP/Databases/Attachments/Closet/2014/2014_September.pdf
  9. Hardin M. Altering masculinities: The Spanish conquest and the evolution of the Latin American machismo. Int J Sex Gend Stud. 2002;7(1):1-22. doi:10.1023/A:1013050829597
  10. López AC, Driskill Q L. U.S. History. In: Erickson-Schroth L, ed. Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities. Second edition. Oxford University Press; 2022:585-613.
  11. Gill-Peterson J. Before Transsexuality: The Transgender Child from the 1900s to the 1930s. In: Histories of the Transgender Child. University of Minnesota Press; 2018:59-96. Accessed July 29, 2023. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctv75d87g
  12. Hill DB. Dear Doctor Benjamin: Letters from Transsexual Youth (1963–1976). Int J Transgenderism. 2008;10(3-4):149-170. doi:10.1080/15532730802297348
  13. Campuzano G. Reclaiming Travesti Histories. IDS Bull. 2006;37(5):34-39. doi:10.1111/j.1759-5436.2006.tb00299.x
  14. Nanda S. The hijras of India: Cultural and individual dimensions of an institutionalized third gender role. In: Parker R, Aggleton P, eds. Culture, Society and Sexuality: A Reader. 0 ed. Routledge; 2007. Accessed July 29, 2023. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781135360030
  15. Sweet JH. Mutual Misunderstandings: Gesture, Gender and Healing in the African Portuguese World. Past Present. 2009;203(Supplement 4):128-143. doi:10.1093/pastj/gtp006
  16. Chiang H. Trans without Borders: Resisting the Telos of Transgender Knowledge. J Hist Sex. 2023;32(1):56-65. doi:10.7560/JHS32103
  17. Steiner BW. From Sappho to Sand: Historical Perspective on Crossdressing and Cross Gender. Can J Psychiatry. 1981;26(7):502-506. doi:10.1177/070674378102600713
  18. Drescher J. Gender Identity Diagnoses: History and Controversies. In: Kreukels BPC, Steensma TD, De Vries ALC, eds. Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development: Progress in Care and Knowledge. Focus on Sexuality Research. Springer US; 2014:137-150. Accessed July 29, 2023. https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4614-7441-8
  19. Anae N. “Embracing what is rightfully ours”: representing Australian Aboriginal Brotherboy identities. Eur J Engl Stud. 2020;24(1):76-88. doi:10.1080/13825577.2020.1730036

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