Councils, police, health trusts and the probation service are all using the tribe's name to promote the "well-being" of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.
More than 100 organisations have obtained the Navajo charter mark under a scheme set up to ensure that they are "gay-friendly".
This seems like a variation of the "noble savage" or "eco-warrior" stereotype. Namely, the idea that Natives are purer of heart than the rest of us--more tolerant of people who are different.
ReplyDeleteIf that was ever true, I doubt it's true now. Since Americans have cheated them so often, I bet Native people are less open and trustful than average.
I bet this is especially true of their attitude toward gays. Since many Natives have become conservative Christians, they share the Bible thumpers' doubts and fears.