Portland Two Spirit Society
Portland Two Spirit Society (PTSS) was founded May 2010 in Portland, Oregon by Amanda Brings Plenty-Wright. Portland Two Spirit Society is a social group for LGBTQI Indigenous and Native American/Alaska Natives and their families and allies to come together and share, connect, reclaim and restore culture, community and the traditional roles of Two Spirit people[1].
Mission Statement[edit]
“Portland Two Spirit Society is a social group for LGBTQI Indigenous and Native American/Alaska Natives and their families and allies to come together and share, connect, reclaim and restore culture, community and the traditional roles of Two Spirit people."[1]
Founding[edit]
Amanda Brings Plenty-Wright (Klamath/Modoc) is the founder of the Portland Two-Spirit Society. She is among native leaders nationally who aim to revive the Two Spirit tradition and work against homophobia in the Native community.[2]
Community[edit]
PTSS aims to reclaim culture and sexuality while building community. Their objective to be a safe space for Two Spirits and their families. Portland Two Spirit Society works to provide resources for Two Spirits and be a resource for Two Spirit history and current Two Spirit issues. PTSS also aims to provide regular social gatherings, cultural activities, group outings, an opportunity to network with Two Spirits across the country and attend international and regional Two Spirit gatherings. [1]
Current Projects[edit]
PTSS was formed as a social group for Two Spirits, but has since taken on a cultural and educational role. The group recently joined forces with 2SY, the Two Spirit Youth group run by the Native American Rehabilitation Association, and is developing a youth curriculum and tool kit including coming out stories and cultural workshops.[2] Portland Two Spirit Society hosts social events and participates in Portland’s annual Pride Parade. [1]
Homophobia and The Two Spirit Community[edit]
Homophobia towards Two Spirit individuals created an underlying prejudice within Native communities due to the ingrained homophobia by the early European contacts and later religious missionaries. Brings Plenty-Wright feels that her own history with the queer community has fluctuated because she hasn’t felt historically represented. The influence of Europeans on the Native culture is barely losing its stronghold after hundreds of years. The Portland Two Spirit Society is gaining recognition and visibility within Portland’s Queer society. They don’t want to just be represented in contemporary society, but historically represented as well because Two-Spirit has existed for a very long time. They did not have the label, "Two Spirit". Identifying as Two-Spirit is a spiritual part of Native American culture. The Portland Two Spirit Society works on breaking the barrier of homophobia within the Native American community as well. Brings Plenty-Wright was nervous to come out because she didn’t want to lose her Native community. When she came out, she found in her honesty and humble and respectful approach that she has befriended and left an impact with some of the most homophobic Natives and non-Natives. [3]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Portland Two Spirit Society". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Queer Heroes NW - June 15th, 2013 - Featured Hero: Amanda Brings-Plenty-Wright". Q Center. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ↑ Rook, Erin. "Portland Two Spirit Society: Finding family and a connection to history in shared identities". PQ Monthly.
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