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from Theological Issues
Gay Shamans Touted As
Gatekeepers To The Spirit World
June 21, 2005 -
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) has issued a press release
announcing support for gay spirituality as a force to unlock "doorways into
other worlds, realms, and realities."
Christian de la Huerta, a gay spirituality author and member of the NGLTF's
National Religious Leadership Roundtable, says that he is celebrating Gay Pride
in June as a way of "pressing back of cultural boundaries by a people uniquely
qualified for spiritual exploration."
According to De la Huerta, throughout history in various cultures, gays and
transgenders have been valued as "healers, teachers, shamans, keepers of beauty,
mediators and peacekeepers." Being gay, says De la Huerta, is a "gift, blessing
and a privilege."
De la Huerta notes that the Dagara tribe in Africa believes that gays and
transgenders are suited to be the "gatekeepers" or the guardians of the doorways
into other worlds and realities. The Dagara believe that much of the pain and
"woundedness" in the world can be "traced to a lack of respect for these
spiritual gatekeepers," says De la Huerta.
He also points out that the Two Spirit movement among Native Americans is
regaining "their place of honor" after "being annihilated or forced to go
underground during the European invasion."
For those who ridicule the excesses of Gay Pride festivals, he observes: "These
are the outsiders, the spiritual warriors, the scouts of consciousness who are
integrating spirit and sexuality for much of the rest of society. We owe these
modern-day shamans the latitude they need and the respect they deserve to do
this crucial work."
De la Huerta views being gay as a spiritual calling and says this is what he
will be celebrating during the month of June.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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