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RAPID CITY - The Center West in Rapid City has formed a support group, Black Hills Native Two Spirit, for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members of the American Indian community.
The group, which meets for the first time on Saturday, March 24, is meant to provide mutual support as well as a chance to research and explore Native Two Spirit traditions in local tribes and in the larger community. According to a news release from The Center West, Two Spirit is an Indian term that refers to a belief that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people possess the spirits of both male and female. Because of that, they had special relationships with the spirit world and sometimes served as spiritual advisers or in other honored roles.
"The loss of the Two Spirit traditions has caused the Circle of Life to be broken. That circle will not be whole again until that place of honor is restored," the news release states. "Black Hills Two Spirit will work to bring honor and dignity back to GLBT Natives and re-establish their honored place in their world."
The group's first meeting will be Saturday, March 24, at 7 p.m. at The Center West, located at 3601 Canyon Lake Drive Suite 4. For more information contact Mike Coats at 348-3244 or
