Definition: Historically, in Native American tribal societies, a berdache marriage was a recognized union between persons of the same sex.
Many contemporary Native Americans consider the term "berdache" to be derogatory. A preferred alternative to the term is two-spirit.
Also Known As: winkte (from Lakota), nadle (from Navajo), hemanah (from Cheyenne), kwedo (from Tewa), hwame (from Mohave), dubuds (from Paiute), lhamana (from Zuni), and literal translations of man-woman.
