Fred Martinez was one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at 16. Two Spirits explores the life and death of a boy who was also a girl, and the essentially spiritual nature of gender. Two Spirits is a PBS Independent Lens documentary.
The PBS website promoting Two Spirits features a fascinating interactive map of Multi-Gender Traditions Worldwide, along with video extras and a summary of the film which explains the Navajo concept of nádleehí, “one who constantly transforms.”
The masculine and feminine together are sometimes reflected so completely in the body of one person it’s as if they have two spirits.
Check your local PBS station for listings.
In NYC it airs this week, Thurs. June 16 — 1am and Sun. June 19 — 12pm
Watch the full episode here.