Couple commemorates Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day
On Thursday, March 20, Two-Spirit couple Adrian Matthias Stevens and Sean Querino Snyder commemorated the Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day by sharing their reflections on Instagram. This day, observed annually on the spring equinox, celebrates the diversity and resilience of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ communities across Turtle Island.
Turtle Island is a name for North and Central America used by some Indigenous peoples, coming from a creation myth about a turtle carrying the world on its back.
Stevens (Raised in Fort Duchesne, Utah — Northern Ute, Shoshone-Bannock, and San Carlos Apache) and Snyder (Raised in Iowa — Navajo and Southern Ute) are renowned for their participation in the traditional Sweetheart Dance — a competitive event within powwow culture traditionally reserved for male-female couples. By competing as a same-sex couple, they challenge societal norms and promote inclusivity within Indigenous communities.
Their journey is documented in the film “Sweetheart Dancers,” which showcases their efforts to redefine Native American culture through dance. Beyond dance, Stevens and Snyder are dedicated activists and artists, using their platform to address issues such as environmental justice, sovereignty, and cultural preservation. Their intricate beadwork and artistic expressions connect them to their ancestral heritage and amplify their advocacy.
The couple are sought-after speakers who have shared their story and insights as a keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign, numerous universities and colleges, and Powwows and cultural events.
They now own S&S Mercantile, which features their beadwork. Through this, they “honor their ancestors, celebrate their Two-Spirit identity, and inspire future generations.” They were recently featured in Vogue for their first-place prize-winning Birkin bag inspired by Hermès. The bag was listed on their site for $30,000 and now shows as sold.
The Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day, advocated for since 2021, aims to center and celebrate the radiance of Two-Spirit identities. Communities across Turtle Island are encouraged to host events in solidarity, fostering inclusivity and understanding.
Stevens and Snyder’s contributions continue to inspire individuals to embrace their authentic selves and challenge the status quo, paving the way for greater acceptance and visibility of Two-Spirit identities.
Images via Stevens and Snyder on Instagram
