Documents on Native American Gender Issues
For far more documents on Native Americans see Jonathan Katz: Gay American History, (1976), section IV
I. Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca (1542)
On Indians in Florida, where he was held captive
from 1528-1533
During the time I was among them I saw something
very repulsive, namely, a man married to another. Such are impotent
and womanish beings, who dress like women and perform the office
of women, but use the bow and carry big loads. Among these Indians
we saw many of them; they are more robust than the other men,
taller,and can bear heavy burdens.
From
The Journey of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza De Vaca (1542) Translated by Fanny Bandelier(1905)
Whole text online at http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/wpages/wpgs610/cabeza.htm
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