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Gender and LGBT-related issues and matters affect every segment of society; the American Indian nation of the United States is no exception. Today, many LGBT Native Americans are outcasts among their tribes and families, the same way as non-Natives are facing rejection every day. However, this was not always the case. This essay would like to shed some light on the history of the Two Spirit culture, LGBT matters among Native Americans, and give information about more current issues.
("LGBT" refers to the acronym LGBTQI, which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Intersex; LGBT here is simply used for simplification, just like the term "gay" will be used for both gay men and lesbian women unless stated otherwise.)