Gay American Indians facts for kids
Gay American Indians (GAI) was an important organization started in San Francisco in 1975. It was founded by Randy Burns and Barbara May Cameron. The group aimed to be a safe place for Native American people to connect and share their experiences. It was the first organization of its kind for Native Americans with shared identities.
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History of GAI
The main goal of Gay American Indians (GAI) was to create a welcoming space. Randy Burns, one of the founders, said it was a "safe place to socialize and share." The people who started GAI wanted a place where they could talk about being both Native American and having other important parts of their identity.
The Term "Two-Spirit"
GAI members helped popularize the term "Two-Spirit." This term is used by some Native American people to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits. They preferred "Two-Spirit" over an older term, "berdache," which they felt was not respectful. In the 1980s, GAI even worked with a researcher named Will Roscoe on a book about these ideas.
Gatherings and Community
Members of GAI often met at a San Francisco bar called Esta Noche. Randy Burns mentioned that a big reason for starting GAI was to offer a friendly place for Native Americans. This was important because they sometimes faced unfair treatment in other areas. Later, another group called Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits (BAAITS) formed in the same region.
GAI and Health Awareness
In 1985, a GAI member passed away due to AIDS. This led the organization to start the Indian AIDS Project in 1987. Randy Burns shared in 2015 that many GAI members, 82 in total, had passed away from AIDS. This shows how important the group was in supporting its community during a difficult time.
GAI Records and Legacy
Important documents and records from the Gay American Indians organization are kept safe at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco. These records help people learn about the group's history and its impact. GAI is remembered as the first organization for Native Americans with shared identities in the country.
