was homosexuality present among american indians in the 1800's.?

Question

a friend of mine says that it was prevalent among Indians. I think he is full of **** myself.

Answer 1

Homosexuality has been present in all cultures throughout history. To think that a culture is devoid of it is rather naive. As to whether it was "prevalent," I doubt it.

Answer 2

Prevalent: adjective, meaning encountered generally (especially at the present time)

Now I know that current usage implies prevalent indicates "in abundance".

So here is the criteria: Do you consider homosexuality prevalent in today's time? If you do, then I suspect you would also think it prevalent among American Indians in the 1800's.

The estimate today is that 10 percent of the population in rural areas is gay.. higher concentrations in urban areas.

Does the percentage of a given society change? I don't think there has been a lot of research on this issue even in the animal kingdom where homosexuality is also common.

If it did fluctuate, what factors might affect it?
-population imbalance leaving more of one sex as available partners?
-over population making it a moral imperative to stop breeding?
-lack of social significance in being homosexual?

I think there are some interesting questions here... what are you really afraid your friend is suggesting here?

Answer 3

Probably a lot more civilly than we do in our "modern" society. As we can see, Native Americans have always treated their surroundings and each other with much more respect than we, the invading caucasians, could ever have. Even their fights and wars and hunts were respectful. They probably let them live as any other person would, with minor adjustments to suit their orientation, like the Man-only thing. This whole scalping thing is ridiculous and is clearly originating from ignorant people who have only watched propaganda plastered old western movies. Those were actors, not the Native Americans. C'mon people.

Answer 4

I believe so and not only the Indians, but all tribes and including within my Eskimo culture, it was a belief that a homosexual was a gifted person because he possesed a male and female soul...as compared to normal people with only one soul...these gifted people were revered by most and given honor in the tribe.
At least if they never married, they had the talent to sew, cook and maintain their own homes and of course very neat. They were also made as shamens to serve as spiritual guides and medicine and faith healers.

Answer 5

The time period, I have no idea. But I have read an ethnography of other native american cultures that have found it present. In my reading, I wouldn't describe it as prevalent, but present.

Answer 6

The book "Little Big Man" mentioned it back about 35 years ago, give or take. I don't know if it was actually true, though. It wasn't exactly a scholarly article or historically relevant book.

Answer 7

It did exist, in fact some tribal cultures considered them to be holy men.

Answer 8

look up the term berdache

Answer 9

present - yes
prevalent - doubtful

Answer 10

no, they hadn't integrated with the white cowboys at that time.