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A question on religion

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moremojo:
Greetings to all checking in here--

I write this to seek guidance in an area that probably wouldn't neatly fit any of our other forums. I am curious to learn more of any religions or spiritual traditions that see same-sex attraction, affection, and eroticism in a positive light, or see those possessing homosexual attributes or behaviors as valued and important members and contributors to the spiritual community (transgendered qualities also fall within this purview). I am especially interested in traditions that actively support homosexual identity and life rather than merely tolerate them, though information on any of the latter would also be welcome. The religions or traditions in question may be living systems or defunct ones preserved only in scholarly literature and lore.

I am aware that some Native American traditions accorded much honor to people we would now describe as homosexual, but know little about the specifics of such beliefs or the precise identities of the tribes or nations holding such views. Again, any germane information would be appreciated, and I thank in advance all who choose to reply.

injest:
David knows quite a bit about Native Americans and gays...we were having a discussion about this a few months ago...

let me see if I can find that thread!!

 :)

Daniel:
Hey, Scott. Glad I caught you.

"In many Native American tribes, homosexuality in both sexes was accepted as a fact of nature and the homosexual berdache accorded a wide-ranging array of sacred and practical powers and given great respect. Many berdaches cross-dressed, and so inhabited, with social approval, a region "between" the sexes. By all indications, the berdache role was an ancient one, and the respect given to it may well echo an ancient tolerance of variety in human nature that patriarchal cultures have lost. Certain ethnologists believe that some form of berdache practices, such as cross-dressing and homosexual relations by shamans, existed among the ancient Siberians who began migrating from Asia to North America thirty-thousand years ago."

"In such tribes, berdaches played an integral role in the life of the people. They were the ones who gave sacred names, who cut down the Sun Dance pole in the central sacred rituals, who foretold future events. They were famous for their bead and quill work, hide-tanning abilities, and extravagant fancy dress (not all berdaches dressed in women's clothes; it depended on their vision). They were considered good luck to take along on a war party or horse-stealing raid. Many were married as second or third wives to warriors; some became the wives of chiefs. Often berdaches would live together in a group of teepees on the outer edge of the camp, where they would exercise their many roles as doctors, storytellers, matchmakers, and leading scalp dancers. Different names were given to the berdache by different tribes. The Sauk and Fox tribes called the berdache i-coo-coa; the Ojibway (Chippewa) named him agokwa, the Cheyenne called him hee-man-eh; and the Sioux, winkte."

Some interesting berdaches you might want to look into include We'wa (1849-1896) of the Zuni tribe, Hasteen Klah (1867-1937) of the Navajo tribe, and Maurice Kenny (b. 1929) of the Mohawk tribe.

Daniel:
In ancient China and Japan, homosexuality seems to have been accepted by a number of Buddhist traditions as part of a creative "love-nature" or an extraordinary religious genius. You might want to look further into Qu Yuan, China's first major poet who was a shaman-priest, Kobo Daishi, Zeami (who founded the theatrical style No), and Basho, a Japanese poet and Zen master.

moremojo:
Hey, Jess and Daniel, thank you for your replies. Yes, I knew that David was knowledgeable in the area of Native American views on homosexuality...maybe he'll come across this thread in time.

It seems like many of the Native American peoples valued their homosexual members to a degree perhaps unmatched in any other known culture or tradition (and I'm including the modern Western civilization in which we live in this). The honor which was accorded them and the central degree to which they were integrated into tribal life are impressive. And Daniel, I noted one of your examples includes a person who is seemingly still living, suggesting that these views and traditions remain viable and pertinent to at least some communities. I am also intrigued to note the geographical range of the nations who esteemed these particular people, ranging from the Mohawk of the Eastern Seaboard and nations of the plains like the Cheyenne and Sioux, to the southwestern peoples like the Zuni and Navajo.

This is a great start, and most helpful. Thanks again for the valuable information and references.

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