Against nature? Homosexuality and evolution (17 Nov 2011)

[DanaC]

I was trawling about on Youtube looking for stuff on gender identity and ended up finding this really interesting lecture.

It's a bit of a side step from what I was on there looking at, but I thought it was worth posting:

[Lamplighter]

I first became aware of "two spirits" with the character of Little Horse in the movie, Little Big Man.
Since then, this phrase has helped me appraise my own attitudes
towards male/female, masculine/feminine, moral/amoral behavior.

Professor Volker Sommer, unfortunately, uses the French term "berdaches" in this 2011 lecture
when discussing the social standing of "Wey Ho" (sp?) in the Native American society.
He certainly must be aware of the status of this word since 1992
with the book "The Spirit and the Flesh" and later the novel "Two Spirits"
But I was very pleased when he summarized his lecture with:

"Never let your morality get in the way of doing what's right."

My corollary for HQ on this topic would be:

"Never let your self-righteousness* get in the way of doing what's right.
.
.
.
.
.
* self-righteous- adjective - having or characterized by a certainty,
esp. an unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally superior
: self-righteous indignation and complacency.

[DanaC]

Most of my reading around gender has been about historic gender constructions within European cultures, I know very little of "two spirits". I take it then that 'berdaches' is not an acceptable term?


Fuck, I just watched that vid. very upsetting. Though it cut off halfway.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Most of my reading around gender has been about historic gender
constructions within European cultures, I know very little of "two spirits".
I take it then that 'berdaches' is not an acceptable term?


Fuck, I just watched that vid. very upsetting. Though it cut off halfway.

Re: berdaches, I can't speak for Native American communities.
But yes, among other negatives, it implies a male prostitute.

Sorry if you got a bad impression about the video. I found the final msg up-lifting,
and to save you having to watch it again, it was:

"The bravest decision you can make... Is to be youself".

[DanaC]

I didn't get a bad impression. I just found the pictures of the kid upsetting. So senseless.

The video cut off halfway. I'd have liked to see the whole thing. It just stops halfway and shows a 'replay' symbol.