I need help from the DU!!

[Melodybe]

At the moment I am writing a propsal to send to Dennis Herrerra, the attorney suing California for the right for gays to marry.

I am in anthropology and my husband and I concluded that not only is the right to the persuite of happiness being infringed upon by the opponents of gay marriage but the right to religious freedom is as well. The state of California is ignoring the fact that many religions around the world and throughout history have respected the monogamous relationship/marriage of homosexuals. The Sioux for example believed that a man living the life of a woman and performing the udties of a wife were acceptable. By saying that religion dictates that marriage is between a 1 man and 1 woman is the government preferring one religion over another. It is unconsititutional to say that the religion of many native americans is invalid. Mormons have their own problems with polygomy, although many native americans may have at one time practiced polygomy, some did not and still recognized the role of the berdache. I want my arguement to be bullet proof and any help with research that my fellow DUers could offer will be greatly appreciated

I love my gay friends and refuse to sit idolly by while the government openly discriminates against them, please if you have any information e-mail me.

[Maeve]

1. Try the link in this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1140551

[HowdyDUit]

2. I'm with you 100%

We need to also inform Kerry, Edwards and all the other Dems that our RIGHT to marry is not for sale. The Democratic candidates MUST support the RIGHT for gays to marry.

[proud patriot]

3. Here and there's lots more at google

(snip)

The role of the homosexual in so-called primitive societies reinforces some of these concepts. In traditional Navajo culture (untarnished by Christian attitudes) there is the 'Nadle', a word meaning 'one who is transformed'. These were androgynous males of that society that is they had male and female qualities. Navajo families who had a child who behaved androgynously (have some female attributes) were considered to be very fortunate and felt that their success and fortune was assured. Most if not all of these androgynous children were homosexual. As adults, they became 'Nadle', were regarded as being sacred and holy and were given great respect. In other primitive societies, androgynous men were referred to as Berdache by early explorers. They were often regarded as shamans or sacred people. The Winktes (meaning half woman half man in the Dakota language), of an Indian tribe in South Dakota were healers, spending their time helping others, visiting and comforting the ill and the elderly. The Cheyenne berdache were regarded as noted and valued matchmakers. In Hawaii and Tahiti, androgynous males were and still are called Mahu, and in Samoa, they are called fa' afafine. In these cultures, such individuals take care of the elderly and the sick. The Nadle of the Navajo tribe were also regarded as being great with children, being very adept at parenting and nurturing. The berdache of most primitive societies often became parents through adoption of orphans, or aided other parents in the care of their children. Berdache were highly productive at both women's and men's work and became renowned at being cooks, producing handicrafts as well as having a good business or management sense. The berdache (read homosexual males) were also well known for being hard workers, productive, intelligent and sensitive. Likewise, the mythical Amazons (read female homosexuals) of Greek legend were admired for their skills in hunting and fighting as well as being leaders. Most of these societies recognized that the berdache and the Amazons (a term applied to very masculine females that were seen in these societies) were homosexual. However, this was not an issue. Sexuality was seen as a gift from the spirit world, whereas the social behaviours of the berdache were regarded as an asset. This is in sharp contrast to the Western 'civilized' world where homosexuality is condemned by the Church and by society in general! The Navajo's joy of having an androgynous child (homosexual) is in sharp contrast to the pain, anguish and rejection of most Western families when they learn that one of their offspring is homosexual!

(snip)
http://www.times10.org/lorne_2.htm

Many of the world’s cultures recognize more than two genders. The notion that there are those of us who do not fit precisely into either a male or female role has historically been accepted by many groups.

Among Native Americans, the role of third, fourth, or even fifth genders has been widely documented. Children, who were born physically male or female and yet showed a proclivity for the opposite gender, were encouraged to live out their lives in the gender role, which fit them best. The term used by Europeans to describe this phenomenon is Berdache. "Indians have options not in terms of either/or, opposite categories, but in terms of various degrees along a continuum between masculine and feminine (Williams 80)."

(snip)


http://hermaphrodite.arriba.net/twospirit.htm