Toyaacan (all photos courtesy of the artists and IPLA)
“Two-Spirit” is a pan-Indigenous term that refers to gender-fluid individuals who have played a traditional role in Native American communities across the continent. They are often considered “third gender” or “fourth gender,” denoting a multiplicity of gender expressions beyond a simple binary. These include the muxe of Zapotec culture in Mexico, the nádleehi of the Diné (Navajo), and the wíŋkte of the Lakota.
El Rio
This Sunday, the Autry Museum in Griffith Park will celebrate two-spirit, third and fourth gender, indigiqueer, and other members of the Indigenous LGBTQPAI community with the second annual Indigenous Pride LA. The event will feature live performances on the Autry Lawn alongside food, crafts, and jewelry. Featured performers include El Rio, who describe their sound as “Latin American revolutionary love music”; hip-hop from 4th Dimensional Hitchhiker; and the Aztec Dance troupe Toyaacan from La Puente, who will be joined by local LGBT dancers. Veteran pioneers of Chicano–Native rap, Aztlan Underground, will also be there, blending hip-hop, jazz, and punk, as well as celebrated Drag performer Jean Decay, who incorporates Nahuatl imagery into their queer Latinx vision. A free shuttle will take visitors from City Hall to the Autry throughout the day.
Jean Decay (via facebook)
When: Sunday, October 13, 11am–6pm
Where: The Autry Museum in Griffith Park (4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Los Angeles)
More info at Autry Museum.
