Within “Sharing One Skin” by Jeannette Armstrong, the author explains the importance of culture and one’s responsibilities to their culture.  She is of Okanagan descent, Okanagan means “the ones who are dream and land together.”  As stated within the meaning of Okanagan, Armstrong feels responsibility and connection to her sacred lands.  As for the dream part, within the Okanagan culture there are 4 selves, The Physical self, Emotional Self, Thinking-Intellectual self, and the Spirit self.  All selves are extremely important, as they feel you cannot be a whole person without all selves being intact and utilized.  Armstrong shows through her extensive knowledge of her culture and introduction, that you must know yourself in order to have a connection with traditional beliefs.  Finally, the ending of this story emphasizes your birth responsibility to your community and family as more important than self.  

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470. 

Zhukovskyi.  “Hands holding each other showing unity vector image.”  VectorStock.  Web.  Accessed on 9 December, 2022. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/hands-holding-each- other-showing-unity-vector-6026103 

“How place names impact the way we see landscape” represents the indigenous experience and the connection between a name and the land.  Many sacred landmarks and areas have been named after colonizers or government officials as opposed to the names originally given by native people for native land.  There are stories ranging from creation to traditional family or tribal, and you must pay respect to those stories, blessings, and spirit connection to the land.  When places are named after colonizers with histories of genocide and relocation, it only emphasizes and preserves the trauma of native communities.  While many do not know the stories of their land, they believe that you have to know the stories in order to preserve your culture and understand indigenous connection to the land 

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, Web. Accessed 27 August 2022. https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places- how-place-names- impact-the-way-we-see-landscape. 

Pham, An. “Canyon De Chelly National Monument.”  Arizona The Grand Canyon     State.  Web.  Accessed on 9 Dec. 2022. https://www.visitarizona.com/places/parks-           monuments/canyon-de- chelly-national-monument/ 

Two Spirit people are ancient, sacred, and recognized within several Indigenous tribes.  Through colonialism, many have lost touch with these beliefs and traditions.  The Human Rights Campaign discusses this history and the impact of colonialism within “Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ Identities: Today and Centuries Ago.”  This article shows the emergence of modern religion and the religious persecution and forced assimilation Native people faced.  This relates to generational trauma and the modern impacts of colonialism.  Through this persecution and oppression, many traditional beliefs were lost.  As many were forced to convert religion or disregard their Native traditions, the sacredness and acknowledgement of Two Spirit people began to be forgotten.   This article re-educates many of what is often considered forgotten regarding Two-Spirit people. 

Swan-Perkins, Samuel White. “5 Two-Spirit Heroes Who Paved the Way for Today's Native LGBTQ+ Community.” KQED, 20 Nov. 2018, https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845330/5-two-spirit-heroes-who- paved-the-way-for-todays-native-lgbtq-community. 

Hall, Nolan. "Connection." 6 December, 2022.

Photographers Personal Photo.

I watched a video in which Florida Governor,  Ron Desantis shared his remarks as he signed the Don’t Say Gay law into action.  He believes that several services have been put into place that support LGBTQIA2S+ people and journeys without parental consent.  He believes that it is harmful to not involve parents within their child's education and uses that as a basis to defend this “Don’t Say Gay” bill.  

“WATCH: Governor Ron DeSantis gives remarks as he signs into law Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill” PBS Newshour.  28 March, 2022.  Web.  Accessed on 17 November, 2022.  https://youtu.be/IVuniz7w1bQ

Hall, Nolan. "Community and Education" 10 November, 2022. Photographers Personal Photo.

Many countries have similar stories of colonial homophobia and LGBTQIA2S+ criminalization.  Ancient Egypt acknowledged and revered a third gender, with a much more open viewpoint to sexuality and identity.  Another example is men found caressing each other as lovers within their tombs, which further represents the ancient Egyptian belief system.  However, as many countries were colonized by British rule and became apart of the Commonwealth, there were several LGBTQIA2S+ phobic legislation written into their constitutions.  66% of the Commonwealth countries criminalize homosexuality.  Some of the Commonwealth countries include Australia, Jamaica, Canada, Cameroon, Belize, and South Africa.  As Buckle states, “There is a direct correlation between countries which belong to the Commonwealth, and therefore have previously been under British rule, and countries that still have homophobic biphobic and/or transphobic legislature in their constitutions.” There are several countries who similarly opposed colonialism and practiced their beliefs, such as the Ghana and Nigerian people.  Within Nigeria, there was not a gender binary and children were not assigned a gender until later within their life as opposed to birth.  Similarly, the Ghanan people found that gender was assigned based on energy and not anatomy.  However, with the arrival of Christian missionaries, Christian quickly became the dominant religion, making up 63% of the population.  With the religion's newfound popularity, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric has been incorporated into African culture (Buckle).  Even countries with an LGBTQ+ safe space history, such as Uganda, continuously criminalize homosexuality.  These laws and anti LGBTQ+ ideals are generational effects of colonialism and the continuous cycle of colonization.  

Buckle, Leah,  “African sexuality and the legacy of imported                   homophobia.” Stonewall.  01 October, 2020.  Web.  Accessed on February 16th, 2023.  https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about- us/news/african-sexuality-and-legacy-imported-homophobia 

History is Gay.  "HAPI, GOD OF THE NILE, DEPICTED AS             HAVING BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PRESENTATION."  2018.  Web.  Accessed on March 1 2023.https://www.historyisgaypodcast.com/notes/2018/3/18/episode-6-3-genders-in-ancient-egypt-its-more-likely-than-you-think

Similar to the previous article this article takes another look at the homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ history of the British Empire and the Commonwealth countries.  This time, it takes a look at a variety of places that Britain impacted and the inequality many people still face today as a result of British colonialism.  British people forced chemical castration and prosecution among LGBTQ+ people throughout their historical empire.  There are countless examples such as Barbados, Pakistan, Guyana, Kenya, Ghana, and Singapore (VICE).   The British exported penal codes, which implemented homophobia and hatred towards LGBTQ+ people.  While many countries have a past of acceptance towards LGBTQ+ people, British impact quickly reversed those beliefs.  Over 600+ people were prosecuted under Kenya’s anti homosexuality laws between 2010-2014.  Homosexuality continues to be criminalized as a result of the exportation of British homophobia.  In March 2020, Singapore ruled in favor of keeping homosexuality illegal, and Jamaica once being known as the most homophobic country on Earth with endless violence and lynching against LGBTQ+ people.  Former Prime Minister Theresa May also expressed remorse and regret over “Britains role in introducing anti-gay laws to its former colonies” (VICE).

VICE.  “How the British Empire Exported Homophobia | Empires of Dirt.”  VICE.  5 Nov, 2020.  Web.  Accessed on February 16th, 2023.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQYu4iBNiQ 

Worldatlas.  "Commonwealth Countries."  Worldatlas.  Web.  Accessed on March 1 2023.https://www.worldatlas.com/geography/commonwealth-countries.html