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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2011)
pridefiles OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE JUNE 17, 2011 23 Health Inside and Out Never Give Up Manifest Men’s Wellness Community talks man to man Portland Two Spirit Society marches into community M W hen Q_ Land was formed seven years W hen Amanda W right first attempted to Wright has been spreading the word about ago, it was out o f a need to provide H IV and form a Two Spirit Society in Portland six P T SS and building a supportive Two Spirit S T D testing in Portland metro’s gay bars. years ago, she was met with unfriendliness community through various speaking engage But it wasn’t long before that focus grew from her Native American community. Sad ments, along with potluck meetings and gath into Manifest M en’s Wellness Communi ly, that first roadblock mirrored the struggles erings. Wright admits that most people haven’t ty— a Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to that Two Spirit people have encountered heard o f Two Spirits— something she hopes to improving the physical, spiritual and emo since the colonization o f the Americas in the change by the time Portland Pride 2011 rolls tional health o f men o f all ages. 15th century. around. The organization— currendy number Two Spirit is an umbrella term that was ing around 25 members— plans on having a will die from heart disease, not H IV/AIDS, coined in 1990, chosen to represent the equal walking group or small float in this year’s pa says Bart balance o f what is male and female. The term rade, and is putting together a Portland Two Church. Diabetes is positioned as the second encompasses sexuality, gender identity and Spirit Conference in the fall. deadliest chronic illness facing men in Port the traditional cultural role land. W ith treatment for cancer, H IV and within native and indigenous suicides and accidents related to depression communities. and anxiety basically the same for gay, bi and Two Spirits were recognized straight men, M anifest’s wellness practices as an honored people within target all men, regardless o f orientation or tribes, acting as negotiators, age. Serving a core group o f about 50 mem name givers, healers, histori bers, M anifest draws men who’ve realized ans, warriors and council peo M anifest executive director that their normal support systems have actu ally created negative effects on their health “We try to get men together to learn and well-being. and do things that are healthy.” “Som ething’s happened where they’ve had -BART CH U RCH , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, some physical or emotional challenge to MANIFEST MEN'S WELLNESS COMMUNITY their health that makes them want to do things differently,” Church explains. Manifest offers weekly and monthly pro MARTY DAVIS About 80 percent o f gay and bisexual men Customarily, ple, among other things. C olo nizing Europeans saw Two Spirits as godless heathens, and as such they were brutally murdered. Afterward, their traditional roles in Native American cultures “I am hopeful we can be a resource together and you’re doing healthy activities were forgotten. W right’s dreams o f founding with men, and you’re developing a Portland Two Spirit Society were realized for all urban and tribal communities with last year, and she aims to add to the list o f within the state.” other grams— ranging from yoga classes and sum friendships mer hiking expeditions to herbalism and activities.” men around wellness similar organizations nationwide seeking to -AMANDA WRIGHT, TWO SPIRIT SOCIETY nutrition classes— designed to both provide On average, men in the Portland area die a healthy male support system, as well as to from preventable illnesses five years before “It is my hope that P T S S can get a non “We are very excited about [the confer subconsciously break down societal barriers women. Church stresses that a simple diet profit status and work on building a social, ence] and look forward to the networking related to sexism and homophobia. change, exercise and social connections can cultural community for Two Spirits and and community building this will bring,” combat these illnesses. their families as well as the native commu W right says. “I am grateful to be part o f “By having a group o f friends to talk to nity and the queer community,” explains P T S S and hope that we continue to grow toms, and basically focus on work and sex,” about stress, loneliness and emotional well W right, who spoke at the Queer Students o f and do good things in our community for Church says. “There is no cultural support being, men don’t act out in ways that are Color Conference in late April. “There are generations to come, and for those who have for men to take care o f their emotional dangerous to themselves,” he says. “We try more native people living within the Port already passed.” health, or their physical health. Everything to get men together to learn and do things land metro area than in any o f the tribal [Manifest does] confronts the core stereo that are healthy.” communities in [Oregon], and I am hopeful wospiritsociety.org, or em ailportlandtw ospirit- we can be a resource for all urban and tribal society@gmail. com. “Sexism teaches men to ignore their bod ies, ignore their feelings, ignore their symp types o f masculinity, and also the core ideas about homophobia, because you’re getting , For more information visit manifestpdx.org. — R y a n J. P r a d o reclaim their identity. HIV ADVOCACY A SERVICES SINCE l<W inform ation , visit portlandt- — R y a n J. 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