Nádleehi
Nádleehi is a social and, at times, ceremonial role in
Role in Diné society
Traditionally, a nádleehí person is recognized at a young age by the ceremonial elders and their own family, as they are seen instinctively taking on what are typically female roles in that society, as well as the clothing and work usually associated with females in that culture.
The difference in Diné perception of gender-nonconforming individuals and western perception was noted as early as the 1920s. A contemporary writer noted that while in American society gender-nonconformity was cause for anxiety, in Diné society it was seen as good fortune.[5]
Fred Martinez
Fred Martinez lived in Cortez, Colorado, on a Diné reservation, with his mother Pauline Mitchell.[6] Friends of Martinez said that he was often harassed in school by their peers, for his feminine nature.[6] Martinez's mother was supportive of her son and his friends, a number of whom were also gender nonconforming or LGBT.[6] Diné society is traditionally matrilineal, with honored social and ceremonial roles for certain gender-variant members of the community, and Martinez's mother, grandmother, and others in the community recognized and accepted him as nádleehí.[2]
Fred Martinez was murdered by Shaun Murphey in June 2001, and it was determined that Murphey's motives were linked to Martinez's nádleehí status. Murphey was arrested and sentenced, though it was not ruled as a hate crime.[6][7] A documentary about Fred Martinez's case, Two-Spirits, explores both Martinez's life and the nádleehí role in traditional Diné culture.[7]
See also
- Gender roles among the indigenous peoples of North America
- Gender system
- Hosteen Klah
- Third gender
References
- ^ JSTOR 646695.
- ^ doi:10.17953/aicr.35.4.x500172017344j30. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2017-11-19 – via Native Out.
- ^ a b "PBS Documentary Explores Navajo Belief in Four Genders - Indian Country Media Network". indiancountrymedianetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
- FNIM cultures have roles for two-spirits. See the two-spiritarticle for more on this.
- ^ Armstrong, Catherine (2021-06-07). "The Trans History You Weren't Taught in Schools". YES! Magazine. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
- ^ a b c d Barrett, Jon (October 2001). "Getting Along in Cortez". Advocate (848): 26–28 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Goldberg, Leslie (November 19, 2009). "Teen Spirit". Advocate.