In many traditions, two-spirit people served their community as mediators, social workers, crafts-people, name-givers, shaman and/or medicine givers—roles only a two-spirit person could fulfill. That's why they were viewed as another gender.”

One of the first avenues to common ground and shared goals is the finding that simple self-interest is not a conflict for most African Americans. African Americans do not feel that LGBT progress toward equality will impede progress or clout for African Americans.”