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. P r a d o
------------------------------------------------------------ 1
PROVIDING SOCIAL WORK AND NURSING
MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENTTO PEOPLE
LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS SINCE 1995
[PlM dET
more
communities within the state.”
i---------------------------------------------------------------
PARTNERSHIP
For
Serving 1200 individuals a year in the Portland
4 county area. Working to keep you insured, in medical
Don't Gamble With Your Rights!
• Free Consultation
• No Obligation
• No Fee, No Recovery
r
care and in contact with the services you need!
SERVICIOS DISPONIBLES EN ESPAÑOL
For intake scheduling, information and referral,
call our intake team at
5 03 517-3590
-
www.ohsu.edu/partnership
GIBBS llcVEA
A Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Firm
OREGON
HEALTH
&SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY
Call Us Now
503.223.1708
Josh Gibbs
The Broadway Plaza * 2 1 2 1 SW Broadway, Suite 130
John McVea
M em ber: Oregon Bar, OTTA, OCDLA, MBA
„
Visit our website for more information w w w . w w w . g i b b s m c v e a . c o m