In many indigenous cultures around the world, including those of Mexico, the Andes, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, there are traditional belief systems that recognize and celebrate non-binary genders, such as third-gender individuals and transgender people. These cultural practices often incorporate spiritual rituals and ceremonies to validate these identities and acknowledge their importance within society.
When it comes to same-sex relationships, things become more complicated because they challenge binary gender cosmologies that were traditionally based on male/female dichotomies. In this article, we will explore how same-sex relationships disrupt these binary structures and how indigenous communities have responded to this new way of thinking about gender and sexuality.
We need to understand what is meant by "binary gender cosmology." This term refers to a system of thought where gender is divided into distinct categories of masculine and feminine, which correspond to biological sex assigned at birth. Indigenous religions often view gender as an essential component of human identity, and so they create elaborate systems of social roles, rituals, and symbolism to reinforce the distinction between men and women.
In some Native American tribes, women's roles include gathering food and tending crops while men hunt game. The two are also associated with different colors (red for men, black for women), clothing styles (feathers vs. beads), and body adornments (tattoos vs. paint). These distinctions are not only physical but also metaphysical; they are believed to reflect spiritual realities that underpin human existence.
When same-sex couples emerge in these cultures, however, it challenges these gender binaries. Same-sex couples blur the lines between male and female, creating ambiguous identities that do not fit neatly into traditional gender categories. Moreover, their relationships can disrupt the division of labor and responsibilities within society because they don't conform to the established social order. Some communities may view same-sex relationships as deviant or even immoral, leading to discrimination, exclusion, and violence against those who identify as LGBTQ+. Others have accepted them as part of cultural diversity and incorporated them into their belief systems, recognizing that sexual orientation and gender are fluid concepts rather than rigid categories.
Among the Aztecs, there was a group called the Xochimilca who were considered "intermediary" between men and women and played an important role in fertility rites and divination ceremonies. Similarly, in Polynesian societies, the māhū were respected members of society who could take on both feminine and masculine roles depending on the situation. Both groups were seen as having special powers and abilities, but they were also marginalized due to their non-conforming gender expressions.
In more recent times, indigenous communities have begun to embrace same-sex relationships as part of their unique cultural heritage and reject the Western binary model of gender.
The Zapotec people in Mexico celebrate "two-spirit" individuals who embody both male and female characteristics and act as bridges between different worlds. They perform healing rituals and serve as spiritual guides for their community. In Papua New Guinea, the hijras have been recognized as a third gender category with its own identity, history, and ritual practices. The Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) acknowledge transgender identities within their traditional religion and allow individuals to transition through various stages of life according to their personal journey.
Same-sex relationships challenge indigenous religions by disrupting binary gender cosmologies based on biological sex assigned at birth.
Many cultures have found ways to incorporate them into their belief systems and recognize that gender is not always straightforward or fixed. By embracing diversity and recognizing the fluidity of gender, indigenous communities can create inclusive and empowering religious traditions that validate all forms of sexual expression.
How do same-sex relationships challenge binary gender cosmologies in indigenous religions?
Indigenous religions often have gender roles and traditions that are more fluid than those of Western cultures. In many cases, these systems view gender as a spectrum rather than a binary, with individuals able to move between genders throughout their lives. Same-sex relationships can be seen as challenging this traditional binary by affirming nonbinary identities and disrupting the rigid gender hierarchies that exist within some indigenous communities.