Changing Ones: Third And Fourth Genders In Native North America

Changing Ones: Third And Fourth Genders In Native North America

Product Description In many Native American tribal societies, it was not uncommon for some men to live as women and some women to live as men. In this land, the original America, men who wore womens clothes and did womens work became artists, ambassadors, and religious leaders, and women sometimes became warriors, hunters and even chiefs. Same-sex marriages flourished. Berdachesindividuals who combine male and female social roles with traits unique to their status as a third genderhave been documented in more than 150 North American tribes. By looking at this aspect of non-Western culture, Roscoe challenges the basis of the dualistic way most Americans think about sexuality, and shakes the foundation of the way we understand and define gender. Amazon.com Review Will Roscoe makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of both Native American culture and alternative gender construction in this extension of the groundbreaking research in . More than 150 tribes across America have members who engage in some form of gender identification beyond male and female. Roscoes study reveals how integral these third and fourth genders, and , have been to the tribes societies, in contrast to the intolerance demonstrated by the Judeo-Christian culture of the descendants of European invaders. His analysis of these tribes, rooted in the empirical evidence of their histories, also provides a fascinating counterpoint to theories about homosexual identity rooted solely in modern, Western preconceptions. Review Will Roscoe is writing the history the history books dont talk about. -- Bay Area Reporter Book Description In many Native American tribal societies, it was not uncommon for some men to live as women and some women to live as men. In this land, the original America, men who wore womens clothes and did womens work became artists, ambassadors, and religious leaders, and women sometimes became warriors, hunters and even chiefs. Same-sex marriages flourished. Berdachesindividuals who combine male and female social roles with traits unique to their status as a third genderhave been documented in more than 150 North American tribes. By looking at this aspect of non-Western culture, Roscoe challenges the basis of the dualistic way most Americans think about sexuality, and shakes the foundation of the way we understand and define gender. About the Author Will Roscoe is an award-winning author who publishes widely on Native American sexuality and gender. He lives in San Francisco.