More than a few of my precious SF memories have come from attend ing the annual BAAITS (Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits) Powwow\, the largest gathering of LGBTQAI /Two-Spirit Native Americans . When it was held at SOMArts\, I loved popping in for the colorful pageantry\, sacred cerem ony\, incredible dancing\, and Native American goods—don’t forget the load ed fry bread\, yum. It felt so good to be at a cultural gathering that cel ebrated and even revered non-gender conforming folks\, so very different f rom what’s going on in the rest of the world\, it seems.
\n\nNow the powwow\, which is open to the public an d streamed online\, is held at Fort Mason and BAAITS has a new executive d irector—Angel C. Fabian\, known in ceremonial spaces as Tlahuizpapalotl (B utterfly of Light). I can’t wait to see what they have in store. A press r elease quotes community advisor Amelia saying\, “This is a space for all o f us to gather respectfully and celebrate Native traditions. Whether you a re African-American\, Native American\, White\, gay\, straight\, transgend er\, whoever you are and wherever your roots originated\, come with curios ity and kindness and you will enjoy the company of 5\,000 like-minded good and connected people as we celebrate traditions of music and art and toge therness.”
\nDon’t miss this wonderful Bay Area tradition. The Powwow takes place Sat/4\, 10am-6pm at Fort Mason Festival Pavili on\, SF. More info here.< /em>
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