The relative openness to these different gender identities mostly disappeared after European settlement and colonization. Nowadays, the term " two-spirit" is increasingly used to refer to these identities. Other people groups recognize similar terms in reference to transgender people and gender variance male-to-female individuals are hova among the Hopi, alyha among the Mohave, ilyaxai' among the Maricopa, tüwasawuts among the Southern Paiute, ndéʼsdzan among the Western Apache, elxa' among the Quechan, and elha among the Cocopah, whereas female-to-male individuals are hwame among the Mohave, kwiraxame' among the Maricopa, kwe'rhame among the Quechan, and warrhameh among the Cocopah. The Tohono O'odham recognize the term wi:k’ovat, which refers to individuals who are assigned male at birth but act, dress and behave as female.
(See also " LGBT rights in the Navajo Nation") They would traditionally wear female clothes and do female work, and some would have sexual relations with men which was accepted by the tribe. Due to the perceived "balance" between both sexes, they were typically chosen for certain societal and communal roles, such as spiritual healers. The nádleehi identity is fluid, and such individuals may display both male and female characteristics. Historically, the Navajo recognized four gender roles: asdzáán (feminine female), hastiin (masculine male), dilbaa (masculine female), and nádleehi (feminine male).
Nádleehi ( Navajo: nádleeh or nádleehé literally one who constantly transforms) refers to individuals who are a "male-bodied person with a feminine nature". There were no legal or social punishments for engaging in same-sex sexual activity. Similarly to many Native American tribes in the United States, these groups have traditions of cross-dressing and gender variance, and had perceptions of gender and human sexuality different from that of the Western world. History and legality of same-sex sexual activity Īrizona has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
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