April 29, 2010
Dear Say Yes Quickly Productions,
The Northwest Two Spirit Society would like to address the filmTwo Spirits: The
Freddy Martinez Story that has screened at film festivals across the country
over the past year and is soon to be widely released to purchase. Our
organization is composed of self-identified Two Spirit peoples within the
greater Seattle metro area and is dedicated to the increased visibility and
recognition of the Two Spirit population within our respectful queer and Native
communities. Upon hearing of the Two Spirit film, our anticipation and
excitement were great for its release and in hopes for it to be an accurate and
respectful portrayal of Two Spirit people, especially in regard to the late Fred
Martinez and his family.
When the time came for our initial viewing, we understood the version we were
seeing was not the final cut and that our opinion was being sought for accuracy
and respectful representation. After the screening, the Northwest Two Spirit
Society, along with other Two Spirit organizations, discussed at great length
the film’s emotional and educational value in respect to its historical content
and portrayal of Fred Martinez’s life and death.
On a whole, we found the film very touching and appreciated it as the first of
its kind: a documentary that focused on the history of Two Spirit people in the
United States and the change from a respected and honored population to an
extremely marginalized and persecuted community; a change that ultimately would
result in the violent death of a young Dine Two Spirit person. While many
issues were discussed, the organizations’ deepest concern laid with the film’s
inclusion of a group known as the Radical Faeries. We believe that Two Spirits
was mostly on target with the histories it was attempting to convey, yet the
inclusion of the Radical Faeries seemed a severe misstep and misalignment to
what we interpreted to be the intent of the film.
Our organizations did not see the pertinence of the depiction of the Radical
Faeries within the context of this documentary. That is, a documentary which
focuses on Two Spirit peoples and Fred Martinez, neither of which the Radical
Faeries represent. Throughout the histories of Native Americans, our cultures
have been co-opted, misinterpreted, and misrepresented time and again. While we
understand the spectrums of gender and sexuality in cultures other than our own
tribes and nations, we believe the depiction of the Radical Faeries within Two
Spirits appears as a co-optation of what their organization perceives as Native
culture. It is this depiction we find offensive and completely unrelated to the
reality of living as a Two Spirit person.
The Northwest Two Spirit Society voiced this opinion loudly and clearly, and
actually was told that other audiences had had the same reaction. Upon the news
of the film’s final cut including the footage of the Radical Faeries, despite
the opinions and offense of various Two Spirit audiences, the Northwest Two
Spirit Society felt compelled to draft a response letter. We feel what is
otherwise an enlightening and provoking documentary has much less impact and
validity with the unrelated and offensive inclusion of the Radical Faeries
organization. Also, it is not lost on us that while our reactions and critiques
were made to seem important to the filmmakers, the gesture was an empty one
without intention of respecting our communities’ opinions.
Northwest Two-Spirit Society Board of Directors
NORTHWEST TWO-SPIRIT SOCIETY
23641 20th Ave South
NWTSS@hotmail.com
Suite G301
Des Moines, WA 98198
