Beneath the Rainbow's Veil: A Two-Spirit Call to Action

Alex DeRoin is an Artist and Organizer from the Osage Nation. Photo by Chelsea Tayrien Hicks.

Image description: In the photo to the left Alex is in the foreground wearing a Kokum scarf wrapped in a striped blanket, looking off camera into the distance.

Disclaimer: As an Indigenous person, I recognize the ongoing struggle for self-determination and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities. My purpose here is not to provide definitive answers or simplify complex issues, but rather to spark a conversation about the importance of decolonizing Pride and embracing Two-Spirit wisdom in the fight for a more just and sustainable future.

Two-Spirit identity, a cornerstone of many Indigenous cultures, transcends the limitations of binary labels. It is a dance of spirit, an embodiment of the interconnectedness that pulsates through all living things. Just as fungi in the hidden heart of the forest display a breathtaking diversity of genders, Two-Spirit individuals exist as a testament to nature's boundless creativity.

Every June, the world erupts in a dazzling display of colors. Pride parades, a kaleidoscope of joy, weave through concrete canyons. Yet, beneath the vibrant surface, a disharmony simmers. Rainbow capitalism, with its glittering facade, often overlooks the Earth's silent cries and the marginalized voices within the 2SLGBTQIA+ tapestry. This year, let us delve deeper, seeking a Pride rooted not in fleeting profits, but in the enduring wisdom of rematriation – the act of reclaiming what was stolen and nurturing a more just future.

Rematriation isn't just about reclaiming stolen land; it's about reconnecting with the ancestral knowledge that nurtured a harmonious relationship with the Earth. Indigenous communities, including Two-Spirit individuals, stand at the forefront of environmental degradation and discriminatory legislation. Here in Oklahoma, the very air we breathe feels heavy with the threat to religious liberty and the stifling of diversity.

Let us not confine our celebration to fleeting parades and commercialized trinkets. As Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us in "Braiding Sweetgrass": "When the land is impoverished so to does the imagination." Indigenous cultures, deeply connected to the Earth, possess a rich repository of imagination crucial for cultivating a sustainable future. Let's draw inspiration from the Paris Green Pride parade, a celebration renowned for its focus on environmental activism and social justice. Imagine vibrant Pride gatherings held beneath the open sky, filled with the vibrant voices of Indigenous artists. Their stories, echoing ancestral wisdom passed down through generations, will honor the Earth's interconnectedness. Let us create a platform for indigiqueer and Two-Spirit creators, amplifying their voices and weaving a richer, more ecologically-conscious tapestry of Pride. By centering these voices and traditions, we can move beyond spectacle and cultivate a celebration rooted in respect for both the LGBTQ+ community and the Earth.

Botanical sexism, the narrow view of plant life, mirrors the limitations imposed on gender and sexuality. Both are a disservice to the dazzling diversity that nourishes our planet. By fighting for landback and fostering the vibrant tapestry of nature, we fight for Two-Spirit liberation and a flourishing ecosystem. Landback is not just about returning stolen land; it's about restoring respect for all life forms, a recognition of the interconnectedness that binds us all.

This Pride season, let us move beyond the rainbow's veil and embrace the deeper truths. Let us celebrate not only 2SLGBTQIA+ diversity but also our profound connection to the Earth. Together, let us cultivate a future where everyone, especially Two-Spirit individuals, can exist freely, a future where the Earth flourishes in all its magnificent complexity. Reclaim our deepest, truest pride. Protection not only of our bodies, but of the land they come from and remain.