1988
First International Two-Spirit Gathering Held in Minneapolis
Activism Cultural International
The inaugural International Two-Spirit Gathering took place in Minneapolis, bringing together queer Indigenous activists from across North America. The gathering became an annual four-day event alternating between Canada and the United States, and remains one of the longest continuously running queer Indigenous liberation and decolonising events in North American history.
Impact & Significance
Created a recurring space for Two-Spirit people to build community, share traditions, and develop a collective political voice.
Reference Record
- Date
- 1988
- Era
- 1970-1989
- Sources
- 1
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q What do Pride flags mean? Pride flags turn identity, solidarity and protest into visible symbols, helping LGBTQ+ communities claim space and recognise one another. Q What do gender-diverse historical lives show? They show that people have crossed, rejected or reworked gender categories across many centuries, cultures and institutions. Q How did asexual and Two-Spirit visibility grow? It grew through community language, Indigenous gatherings, online networks, research and public campaigns.
